Improvement of farmer’s livelihood through rice-fish-duck integration at Namsai District of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Namsai district is the only plane district of Arunachal Pradesh have abundant scope for agriculture and allied sector. Due to lack of scientific knowledge and awareness, traditional monoculture system of rice, fish and duck farming is prevalent in the district yet. To improve the productivity as well as generate more income of farmers from various crops practiced in a specific area for a certain time, the integrated approach of rice cum fish and duck (IRFD) culture was carried out in farmers field. A total of 10 farmers were involved in the trial who were well experienced on traditional farming practices. Farmers having low-lying rice field with adjoining fish pond (n=10) were selected for frontline demonstration on Rice cum fish and duck culture. Rice variety Ranjit was planted using integrated nutrient and pest management practices, introducing catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohtia), mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fish as composite fish culture in the pond and dual purpose khaki Campbell duck were reared in the dyke of the pond. In the present study, the production performance of rice under trial increased by 57.8 percent compared to traditional practices. Similarly, average body weight and total yield of fish increased by 42.8 and 42.08 percent respectively. Khaki Campbell duck performed well in integrated system of rearing and laid egg more by 117.64 percent compare to the local duck (Pati duck). The gross total income under IRFD system were significantly higher in comparison of traditional monoculture practices.