Itanagar, Sept 15:
A new method of paddy-cum-fish harvesting has been introduced for the
first time on a trial basis in two villages in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit
district by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), official sources said
today.
The method was introduced in Khaoji and Juna-IV villages covering around three hectares in four units.
Canals 2-3 feet wide and 1.5-2 feet in depth were dug on two sides of a
rice field and connected to a small pond measuring 0.01-0.03 hectare.
Fish fries were released in the pond before the sowing of rice. When the
water level went up, the fish migrates to the rice field automatically
and the culture area of fish increased up to 80 to 100 times, the
sources said.
“This helps in the growth of the fish, as it is known that larger the
water area the larger the fish growth. The fish gets natural food and
insects from the paddy field which also decreases the chances of an
outbreak of disease in the rice,” the sources said.
The KVK also constructed a piggery unit on a dyke and introduced horticulture crops like banana, tokopat, colocasia, pineapple.
After the harvest of paddy, fish receives food from the piggery unit.
So, along with rice, a farmer would get a lucrative return from fish,
pig and horticulture crops, they said.
Rice of the Bahadur variety sown in May was being harvesting, while the
average fish growth was found to be 250 gm (100 gm-450 gm) in 130 days.
Rainfall in Lohit district was very high and tall water resistant rice
variety was cultivated. The new method could be introduced with a little
modification in a rice field without hampering the cultivated crop, the
sources said.
A field visit to Khaoji village was undertaken to demonstrate the method
to the farmers of nearby villages, political leaders, administrators
and government officials yesterday.
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