Hans News Service Nellore

Prawnfarmers from Gudur and Kota mandals under Prawn Farmers United Forum (PFUF) on Thursday staged protests at GMT, GVR and Penver processing plants, alleging that processing units and exporters were forming a syndicate and purchasing prawns at reduced prices.

They said the price of 30-count tiger prawns is Rs 430 per kg at present, which was Rs 580 per kg a month ago. They said the sharp fall in prices had made it difficult for farmers to recover their cultivation costs and that they were uncertain about when traders would purchase their produce or stop procurement.

The farmers also alleged that feed companies had increased feed prices by Rs 26 per kg in violation of APSADA Act, resulting in a steep rise in production costs. They criticised the government and senior officials of Fisheries department for failing to take action to control the rising input costs.