Rice Fish Farming System

 RICE-FISH FARMING SYSTEM 

Production of fish in rice fields is almost as primitive as the practice of rice culture itself. Rice farming with- fish culture is a type of duo culture farming system in which rice is the sole enterprise and fishes are taken to initiate additional for extra income. Now rice cum fish farming has already been started in Bhaktapur, Kaski, Tanahu, Syanja, Dhanding, Gorkha, Chitwan and Makwanpur districts of Nepal.

Advantage of rice-fish system

Rice-fish systems allow the production of fish and other aquatic animals, from the same rice field area and generally without causing reductions in rice yields. This source of animal protein may be important for household nutrition and farm income.

fish eat insects and weeds maintaining a perfect ecological balance that improves biodiversity while limiting problems caused by insects and plant diseases.

species of fish are found in rice-fish systems:

Carps and tilapia are the main species reared by the farmers in the rice field of Nepal. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are the two species under culture in rice field of Nepal.

Management of rice field fisheries

Wild fish can be encouraged to enter rice fields by keeping entrances to fields open, and bunds low. They can be attracted by placing branches in the field which provide shelter for the fish or by placing buffalo or cow skins to attract catfish and eels. Wild fish may be harvested from rice fields by netting, hooking, trapping, harpooning, throwing nets, or by draining the field. As water levels fall, fish may be channeled into adjacent trap pond areas where they can be held alive until required. Black fish from trap ponds are often marketed live in local markets.

Management of rice-fish culture

If water sources are more secure and the risk of flooding is low, farmers may invest in fish stock for their paddies or adjacent pond areas. Fish can be stocked at rates of 0.25−1 fish/m2. An example stocking rate for Cambodia is: 2,500 common carp, 1,250 silver barb and 1,250 tilapia per hectare. Predatory fish, particularly Snakehead, should be absent from the system when fish seed is introduced. If available and economic, feed supplements such as duckweed, termites, earthworms, and rice bran can be supplied. Similar harvesting methods as for rice field fisheries can be used. Harvests usually include a percentage of wild fish that have entered the system themselves.

Other considerations

•Areas of rice fields depened for fish culture may result in less rice growing area. 

•Having fish present may help dissuade farmers from using pesticides. Pesticides have the potential for poisoning fish and some types can be absorbed by the fish and then ingested by humans.

Writer: Prisila Giri (I.sc Ag 3rd year ( Jan Jyoti Ma. Vi-Tecs Program)