Cost benefit analysis of paddy-cum-fish culture in ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Rice and fish go together as food in many parts of the world and in our country also. However, the practices of growing paddy and fish do not go together in many parts of the world. Paddy cum fish culture makes multiple use of the paddy field to maximize the utilization of land and water resources and also increase the production value of paddy fields. These practices are mostly carried out in a country like China, India etc.

In respect of Arunachal Pradesh, the practices of paddy cum fish culture started in the year 1964. Under the dynamic of the dean fishery officer of fishery department in Apatani plateau. Since then paddy cum fish culture has become a part and parcel of Apatanis agricultural system. Over the last three decades it has been observed that lots of improvement has been taken place in paddy cum fish culture practices in Apatani plateau. By virtue of these practices the farmers could able to generate additional income for their family members. The benefits obtain from this practices are not only limited to household purposes but also extend to socio-cultural and economic purpose ranging from education of children to socio-cultural welfare measures like festivals, contribution to village development etc. When compare with cost, the ratio of benefit to cost is more than 1:5 which implies that the benefits acquires from paddy cum fish culture is immense.

The present study aimed to work out the economic efficiency of the paddy-cum-fish culture system practiced by farmers in three selected village of Lower Subansiri districts of the State of Arunachal Pradesh.