AP to allow private sector acquaculture varsity, says minister

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Prattipati Pulla Rao said here today that the state government plans to allow a private aquaculture university to be set up in West Godavari district.

After a day-long review meeting with fisheries department officials, fish farmers, aqua feed manufacturers and seed producers, he told reporters that a private sector aquaculture university would be allowed under the proposed Private Universities Bill.

He said that Andhra Pradesh is number one in aquaculture product exports, which stand at Rs 22,670 crore presently.

He said that the figure could be raised to Rs 33,400 crore by March next year.

An aqua sector act would have to be enacted to regulate the quality of seed and feed, he said.