- Multi-commodity farming system consisting of rice, fish, broiler duck and male buffalo was evaluated for productivity, income, cropping intensity and generation of employment by Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom, under the Kerala Agricultural University.
- According to the study, one hectare paddy holder in kuttnand can carry a minimum of 5,000 fishes, 750 broiler ducks and 3-5 male buffaloes besides the rice which is grown during June-October season. Over all income will be Rs. 5.4 to 6.8 lakhs per /ha.
- Nursery ponds dug near rice fields are stocked with fish fingerlings of grass carp, rohu and catla at 2:1:1 at 10,000 fingerling per ha, which feed on aquatic weeds and left over paddy straws along with duck excreta. The fishes till the feed bottom.
- Duck houses are erected over these ponds and Broiler duckling varieties such as vigoa at 125-150/ha are grown inside them. These are fed with formulated feed.
- Spilt over duck feed and the excreta of the ducks are consumed by the fishes. These also fertilize the fish ponds, which results in increased primary productivity and growth of algae and higher plants.
- In a year about 5-8 batches of ducks can be reared, each of which are sold after they attain a body weight of about 2.1-2.5 kg, typically after 45-50 days. Fishes are harvested prior to the paddy season.
- Rice fields require no land preparation and preliminary weeding if the plant stand establishment is done within one week after the fish harvest.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/integrated-farming-model-for-wetlands/article5987600.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Multi-commodity farming system
- Mixed cropping
- Intercropping