Fingerling production in irrigated paddy

Fish fingerlings supply is scarce in Northern Bangladesh. It is usually expensive and laborious for fish farmers to procure fish seeds. The production of common carp (Cyprlnus carpio) fingerlings with different types of "boro" or irrigated paddy is an alternative. Although production figures are below the commercial rates, small farmers can grow their own fingerlings at minimal cost.

The four types of irrigated paddies for fingerling production (as practiced by poor farmers in Northern Bangladesh) the have following features:

Fingerling production in irrigated paddy

ADVANTAGES

1. Fish hatchlings or fry can be reared in different types of "boro" paddy plot designs without altering farmer's normal practices in rice production.

2. Farmers' existing resources can be used.

3. Only minimum additional expenses are required.

4. When the fish get bigger than one inch, they control weeds, pests and insects in the paddy.

5. Fish feces serve as fertilizer for rice.

6. Can provide additional income.

7. Farmers can sell fingerlings when prices are highest.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES IN FISH PRODUCTION

Paddy preparation

Transplanting rice

Apply Sumithion to kill predators d.25 mg/sq m

Stock with 2-week old fingerlings at 10/sq m

Monitor fingerling growth by weighing, done in weekly intervals. Maintain water depth at 7-10 cm in the paddy.

Harvest the fingerlings. Condition them in hapa before selling, or stock them for further growth.

Note: Apply pesticides for the rice crop only if needed. Malathion (suggested rate 27 ml/1000 sq m) has been shown to cause the least harm to fish. Deweed along paddy embankments to remove breeding places of and sheiter for predators.

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE ADAPTING THE TECHNOLOGY

1.Paddy soil should have good water - holding capacity

2. Common carp is recommended for stoking:

- spawns earlier;
- fries are available at the same time as “boro” rice transplantation
- hardy fish

Tilapia can also be stocked.

3. Fish have higher survival rates in smaller paddies.

4. It possible, use fry (instead of hatchlings) for stocking because they have higher survival rates.

5. Use of supplementary feed, like fine bran or wheat bran, can help increase fingerling production at very minimum cost.

6. To reduce risks of paddy field drying out, use treadle pumps.

Production details between stock of fry and hatchlings (based on 1,320 sq m paddy).

Partial budget for common carp fingerling production in boro paddy (based on 1,320 sq m paddy).

Comparative budget and income from 3 systems: rice; rice and common-carp hatchlngs' and, rice and common carp fry.

Records from CARE/ODA/BRAC Rice/Fish Pilot Project. Rangpur 1991

1 US$ = Taka 38

1,320 sq m = 1 bigha, a standard area measurement used in Bangladesh.

Prepared by: FRRANCISCO NOBLE

FARMER-PROVEN INTEGRATED AGRICULTURE-AQUACULTURE
A TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION KIT (IIRR-ICLARM)