GUNTUR: Shrimp farmers of Bapatla district are facing a tough season due to severe shortage of labour, and frequent summer power cuts that threaten their livelihoods. With both local and migrant workers in short supply, and erratic supply of power hampering nighttime operations, farmers are struggling to sustain their aqua operations during the most critical months of shrimp cultivation.
Bapatla is one of the leading districts in Andhra Pradesh for shrimp farming, with nearly 22,000 acres under cultivation and over 6,700 farmers depending on the sector. The annual value of shrimp output from the district stands at an estimated Rs 870 crore. Aqua cultivation is concentrated in several areas, including Repalle, Nagaram and Nizampatnam.
This year’s aqua season, which began in the last week of February, is proving particularly difficult. Shrimp farming in the region typically involves Vannamei and tiger shrimp varieties. Vannamei shrimp takes about 100 days to mature, requiring consistent feeding and pond maintenance throughout. Tiger shrimp, on the other hand, has a longer cultivation cycle of nearly five months, and demand sustained monitoring and aeration over an extended period. The success of both cycles depends heavily on continuous human involvement, and stable power supply.
Farmers say the absence of skilled labour is a major setback. Traditionally, they rely on workers from Odisha who stay near the ponds in sheds, and manage day-and-night operations. However, this year, fewer workers have come, with many choosing to remain in their villages. Meanwhile, local youth are showing little interest in aqua labour, preferring jobs in construction or delivery services.
As a result, several farmers are unable to cultivate their entire acreage. “I could only farm four out of my 10 acres this year,” said K Murali from Repalle. “There aren’t enough experienced workers to feed the shrimp properly.” The shortage of skilled workers is also affecting feeding quality. “Experienced labourers use floating rafts to feed shrimp evenly across the pond. Inexperienced workers stick to the banks, resulting in stunted growth and financial losses,” he added.
Night-time power cuts are compounding the crisis. Shrimp need continuous aeration to survive, and any disruption can cause mass die-offs. Farmers often rush to fuel stations in the middle of the night to get diesel for generators, as there’s no guarantee when power will return. Farmers are now urging the government to ensure uninterrupted supply of power during night and launch skill training programmes to build a more reliable local workforce.