Rice- Fish Farming System
In view of the increasing challenge to ensure food security and sustainable agricultural intensification, the benefits of extensively adopting rice- fish farming system in India is being discussed.
About the System
Rice cum fish farming is a type of co-culture system in agriculture where paddy cultivation is combined with rearing of aquatic animals like fish, prawns, shellfish, crabs and even ducks. It is one of the ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems’ according to FAO.
GHG Emission from Paddy Fields
Greenhouse gas emission is one of the major drawbacks of conventional paddy cultivation. Methane and nitrous oxides are 2 major GHGs released from paddy fields. 10 to 20% of global methane emission is from paddy fields. It is produced due to anaerobic breakdown of organic matter in the submerged fields where oxygen levels are low.
Effect of Rice- Fish System on GHG Emission
Several studies show that the use of rice- fish farming system can help reduce GHG emission from paddy fields. This is because, aquatic organisms like crabs and fishes are bottom feeders and they disturb the soil layer resulting in disruption of the methane production process. They increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water thus shifting the degradation process from anaerobic to aerobic. Estimates show that methane emission in this system in 34.6% less than in monoculture paddy fields.
Other Advantages
Other advantages include:
- Helps avoid soil degradation.
- Restores soil fertility thus serving as a low input system requiring less fertilizers and pesticides.
- Increases the economic efficiency of the farmers- net income increases by 50%.
- Rice yield is 10 to 26% higher.
- Labour input is 19 to 22% lower than usual.
