Aqua farmers to constitute National Prawn Coordination Committee

National Prawn Coordination Committee to be formed in Andhra Pradesh to promote seafood, boost domestic market, and educate on nutritional values.

Members of various aqua farmers’ associations, traders and exporters will form a National Prawn Coordination Committee (NPCC), a first-of-its-kind measure in A.P. to promote seafood in the State.

Andhra Pradesh Prawn Farmers Federation, Aqua Farmers Welfare Society, Aqua Farmers Welfare Association, Aqua Professionals Welfare Association, Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) and other bodies will be the members of NPCC.

Its aim is to explain the nutritional values of shrimp and other seafood, boost domestic market by encouraging local consumption, said Minister for Fisheries K. Atchannaidu on Monday. “NPCC ... will work on the lines of National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC),” the Minister said.

Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju asked the farmers and other stakeholders to promote ready-to-eat aqua products through various print and electronic media and social media groups.

The farmers also asked the government to encourage in conducting seafood exhibitions at various places in the State to promote domestic consumption of fish, prawn and other seafood varieties.

“AP State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) will coordinate between the farmers, exporters and the traders in organising seafood festivals and in conducting various programmes through NPCC in promoting seafood,” Mr. Krishna Raju said.

Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao, who was in aqua trade, has appealed to the government to take steps to include fish and shrimp in food supply to the defence sector.