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Integrated Rice-fish Farming - a Way to Increase Farmer's Income and to a Better Environment

M.A . Rahman
Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh- 2201, Bangladesh

M. Akhteruzzaman
Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh- 2201, Bangladesh

D.A . Jahan
Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh- 2201, Bangladesh

M.A . Mazid
Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh- 2201, Bangladesh

M.S . Rahman
Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh- 2201, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The viability of integrating fish culture with rainfed rice farming and its impact on income, rice production and pest management were studied in 52 rice plots of 400 to 6800 m² each. Rice plot had a ditch averaging 11.7%, 5.7% and 5.6% of field area for mirror carp alone. rajpunti alone and the combination of both species, respectively. The plots were transplanted in between July and September, 1992, primarily with BR-11 and Pajam varieties following normal rice agronomy practices. Fingerlings of rajpunti (Puntius gonionotus) and mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio), either alone or in combination, were stocked at a density of 3.000. ha^-1 '.Total fish culture period ranged from 56-121 days (average 84 days), of which rice fields had water (more than 7·8 cm) for only 21- 80 days. Average fish productions of 76, 157 and 100 kg ha^-1 were obtained from fields stocked with raijpunti, mirror carp and a combination of two species. respectively. The recovery of rajpunti was 68%, while it was 53% for mirror carp. Cost of production averaged Tk. 2290 ha^-1with a net benefit of Tk. 2118 ha ^-1. Rice yields from 67% of the fields stocked with fish were higher than those from control (unstocked) fields. On an average, fish - integrated rice fields yielded 13% higher rice production .

Keywords: Integration, Rice-fish, Income and Environment

Location: Four Thanas of Mymensingh district

Start Date: 00-08-1992

End Date: 00-12-1992

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Rice, Fish

Objectives:

To evaluate the viability of integrated rice-fish farming and assessing the economic and environmental benefits of the integration.

Methodology:

The study was undertaken in 52 rice plots in 4 Thanas of Mymensingh district during August - December, 1992. Participating farmers either had a ditch in their fields or dug a small refuge prior to stocking fingerlings. Rice seedlings were transplanted during July to September, following normal practices. Among the nee varieties transplanted, BR11 and Pajam predominated. Fingerlings stocking was done 10 -15 days subsequent to rice transplantation. Rice fields were stocked at a density of 3000 fingerlings/ha. In many cases. stocking densities deviated from the planned density of 3000/ha, because stocking of some additional fishes were done by the farmers. Three stocking treatments were tested: rajpunti ( Puntius gonionotus ) alone, mirror carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) alone and a 1 :1 combination of these two species. Although the original plan called for an equal number of plots under each treatment, this could not be followed, because of a shortage of mirror carp fingerlings . Finally 30 plots were stocked with rajpunti alone, 18 plots with both species and 4 plots with mirror carp alone. Rice plot areas ranged from 400 to 6800 m2 . Mean plot area for treatments with raijunti alone and the species mix was saime of 1900 m² . Average area of 4 plots with mirror carp alone was 810 m². This is due to that various farmers have different plot areas. Mean ditch area varied little from treatment. Consequently, the refuge ditches area varied little from treatment to treatment. Consequently, the refuge ditches occupied a greater mean percentage area (1 1.7%) of fields stocked with mirror carp alone than of those stocked with rajjpunti alone or with the mix ( 5. 7 % and 5 .6 %), respectively. All farmers used rice bran as supplementary feed for fish. A few purchased and used wheat bran and mustard oil cake as fish feed . Several farmers applied lime late in the season to prevent fish disease. Duckweed and cowdung common on- farm inputs used. The quantities or all inputs varied greatly from farm to farm. Fishes were harvested at different times as fields become dry. The first plot was harvested on October 28, and the last harvest was done on December 24. Monitoring and data collection were done at weekly intervals.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Sci. 24 (1): 33-37, January , 1997

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Reduced dependence on pesticide use has been indicated by farmers as an influencing factor for integrating fish culture with rice farming.

Knowledge Management: Journal