Study on Integrated Rice-Fish Farming in Babugonj Upazilla of Barisal District

Abstract

The study was undertaken at Ghotokerchar village in Babugonj upazilla under Barisal district to assess the feasibility and economic viability of integrated rice fish farming during June to December (Amon season) 2001. Two treatments were designed as treatment Tl (indicates rice cum fish culture) and treatment T2 (indicates rice monoculture). In treatment Tl rice with five species of fish fingerlings viz. thai sarpunti (Puntius gontonotusy, Common carp (c. carpio), rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Calla catla) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) were stocked at the rate of 5434 individualslha according to Department of Agriculture Extension's recommendation. In treatment T2 the lands were used only for rice production. Fertilizer as urea, TSP, MP and gypsum were used at the rate of 247 kg/ha, 154 kg/ha, 77 kg/ha and 128 kg/ha in Tl. On the other hand, T2 was fertilized in the traditional method. The values of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and water depths were found within suitable range for rice-fish fanning. Among the species the higher growth (209.99g) and survival rate (73%) was recorded in common carp. The net fish production was recorded to be 397.69 kg/ha in treatment Tl. The rice production was higher 3920.24 kg/ha in treatment Tl followed by 3428.01 kg/ha in treatment T2. The benefit cost ratio was higher in treatment Tl (1.96) than in treatment T2 (1.63).