MKSP TRAINING MODULE ON PADDY CUM FISH CULTURE : A BETTER SCOPE IN THE EXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES

Transcription

1 MKSP TRAINING MODULE ON PADDY CUM FISH CULTURE : A BETTER SCOPE IN THE EXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES Developed by- A.K.SAHU

2 People depend on diverse agricultural practices ranging from a variety of shifting aquaculture systems, fallow systems,home gardens and sedentary systems, such as wetrice cultivation Raising of fish from the rice fields started in the northeast because the water logged rice fields form natural habitat for wild fish. Cultivating rice and fish together has existed for about 2,000 years in some parts of Southeast Asia

3 It was gradually abandoned due to population pressures, decreasing of wild fish and high-input monoculture using high-yield rice varieties, pesticides and herbicides. Paddy cum fish culture is fish farming with paddy. It is profitable and sustainable, as paddy and fish can be harvested as a unit from the cultivable area. The wet terrace rice fields where surface and ground water is sufficiently available, can be utilized for PFC. The plot must be renovated retain water for sheltering the fishes during the summer months. The water stored may also be used for irrigating the plot. The adoption of PFC with open avenues for selfemployment, supplement the income of the agriculture enhance fish production

4 Rice-fish farming received attention in the recent past for sustainable rural development, food security and poverty alleviation Site Selection Integration of fish farming with rice cultivation is crucially dependant on availability of sufficient water for survival and growth of fish without any detrimental effect on rice crops. Therefore, it is, imperative that the plot be renovated for holding sufficient water. Terrace paddy fields and low-lying fields with good sources of water and spacious benches/plots can be brought under this system. At least 60 to 70 percent of the land is made available for paddy cultivation and the rest is utilized for digging small shelter ponds and embankments

5 Strong and stable dykes are constructed around the plot creating a confinement for fish and to retain more water. The trenches are excavated in the trapezoid form keeping 6 m on top width, 3.6 m at the base and a depth of about 1 to 1.2 m. Characters of Fish Species right for PFC The candidate fish species for the PFC farming system should have the following characteristics: Thrive in shallow water, Tolerate temperature fluctuations, Withstand high turbidity, Grow to marketable size in a short period. Species for Culture Species cultured including common carp, Indian Major Carp, Chinese carp such as, silver carp, grass carp, tilapia and silver barb field. However, tilapia gave with disastrous results. Tilapia being a prolific breeder caused loss of biodiversity of indigenous fish

6 Role of Fish on Paddy Culture of fish in paddy fields benefits rice cultivation from better aeration of water and greater tilling from the movement of fish. The excreta of fish increase the fertility of soil. Fish also feed on harmful pest weeds and insect larva,which are harmful for paddy. Approach for Environmental Integrity and Food Safety Owing to concerns of the public about environmental integrity and food safety, many traditional food production systems are confronted with new and more challenges. To produce high quality and safe rice and aquatic products through environmentally friendly approaches have become the focus of the modern day rice-fish culture. Hence,many new technologies have been introduced in the systems, such as the formulated bio-fertilizer and micro agent for water manipulation. Traditional ricefish culture has transformed into organic food production systems.organic rice and aquatic products bring the farmers more income

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