Government vows export boost for seafood and tobacco farmers

The Union government announced a series of policy measures aimed at expanding export markets for Indian seafood and tobacco products. Piyush Goyal, while engaging with industry representatives from Andhra Pradesh, outlined a roadmap that includes easing GST on critical aquaculture inputs, facilitating the import of GMO soybean meal for shrimp feed, and streamlining fish‑meal export licences.

These initiatives are expected to lower production costs, enhance competitiveness abroad and secure better price realization for farmers. The minister highlighted that aquaculture already ranks among the state’s top export earners and that strengthening this sector will have a multiplier effect on the coastal economy.

In addition to trade‑related steps, the meeting also discussed setting up a National Fisheries Development Board office in Amaravati to provide localized technical assistance and to monitor the implementation of farmer‑centric schemes.