VPP 322: Aquatic Animal Diseases, Health Care and Management (1+1)

AGRICULTURE - FISH CULTURE INTEGRATION

Rice - fish farming

• Fish culture can be undertaken with rice farming either simultaneously or alternatively after rice harvesting. Rice varieties that can be grown in integrated fish culture are : ADT 6, ADT 7, Rajarajan, Pattambi 15, 16, pokkali, etc. These varieties have strong root system and are capable of withstanding flooded conditions needed for fish farming.  The fishes grown in rice fields should be capable of tolerating shallow water <15 cm, high temperature upto 35⁰C, low dissolved oxygen and high turbidity. Species such as catla (Catla Catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and larvivorous fishes like Channa sp are suitable for growing in rice fields.
• Fingerlings of fishes can be stocked in rice fields at the rate of 2000 nos/ha five days after the transplantation of rice. Fertilizer can be added to the field to promote the growth of phytoplankton which would serve as food for fishes. After a period of two months, the ponds are drained and the fish are harvested. An individual fish growth of 60 g and a per hactare yield of 500 kg have been reported in simultaneous culture of fish with rice farming. Fish culture can also be undertaken with other agricultural crops like banana or coconut. The advantages of rice-fish culture are:
  • Economical utilization of land 
  • Enhanced rice yield 
  • Additional income through sale of cultured fishes  
  • Savings in labour costs towards deweeding and supplemental feeding 
  • Fishes feed on small insects that are pests 
  • Some fishes feed upon the weeds that grow with rice thereby increases the rice yield

Fish floriculture - vegetable farming

• Flowers and vegetable yielding plants can be grown on the bundhs of the ponds so that the space can be effectively utilized. Flowers like jasmine, rose and other ornamental flowers, vegetables like lady’s finger, tomato, brinjal can be integrated with fish farming.