Rice-ash farming system – A review

Risk elements in rice production in low lands can be eliminated by diversifying the system through introduction of fish culture. In the rainfed ecosystems of India rice-fish farming system is the best farming option considering the available resources and food habit of people. Rice and fish are grown in pond area and fruit crops like banana and papaya are grown in dikes. In the pond the stocking density is maintained at 5000 to 6000 fingerlings per hectare. The net income per hectare varies from Rs. 6145.00 in rice-fish culture to more than Rs. 30,000.00 in rice-fish farming system. In brackish water rice fields in integration of prawn culture gives maximum profit. When oxyfluorfen @0.25 kg ha⁻¹ or benthiocarb @1.5 kg ha⁻¹ are used for weed control in rice, fingerlings of size 4–5 cm are released 12 days after herbicide application. Introduction of herbivorous fish can reduce the weed population by 50% thereby increase the rice production by 5%. Competition for nutrients among fish, rice and weeds is a major constraint in rice-fish integration. Suitable species combination, stocking density as per carrying capacity, periodic liming and fertilization, high energy supplemented feeding, water and quality monitoring are essential for the success of the system.