Productivity Improvement of Pond-Based Production System through Integration of Horti-Livestock-cum-Pisciculture

The present study on pond-based production system model was undertaken at ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar during 2018-2020. The cropping system on pond bunds includes three tier model of litchi cum banana/papaya and seasonal crop based system along with vermi-compost, livestock and makhana with fish culture in pond comprised with 4 models viz., Integration of different components like fruit, seasonal vegetables, fish and dairy under model-1(Fish+litchi+banana+vegetables +dairy+vermi-compost) was economical than other models in terms of net return with highest net income of Rs 1,19,400 followed by model-2 (Fish+duck+litchi+papaya+vegetables) which recorded net income of Rs 66,175, and lowest in model-4 (Two row of litchi + papaya in between two litchi plants + field crops and makhana with fishery) of Rs 48,225. The higher benefit: cost ratio (1.58) was obtained with model-2 followed by model-1 (1.46). The system economic efficiency in terms of net return as Rs/day and sustainable value index was also markedly higher with model-1 (Rs. 327/day and 0.73). The highest total system employment generation was also observed in model-1 (385 man-days/year) followed by model-2 and model-4.