Background
Rural Nigerian rice farming communities suffer from access to and availability of nutritious food. Fish in Rice-fish farming system has the potential to increase essential protein and micronutrients in people’s diets. Rice-fish farming is not practiced in Nigeria despite several favorable environmental advantages (temperature, soil, water) and premium value placed on fish. Rice-fish research and farm trials are limited. There are only a few publications referencing cultivation of rice with fish in Nigeria. Our project, ‘Aquaculture and Rural Communities: Farm Diversification Strategy Through Integrated Agriculture-aquaculture Systems and Nutrition-Sensitive Value Chain for Better Nutrition Outcomes’ performed one-year farm trials (second production cycle in on-going). The results from these trials provide insight into potential nutritional and economic benefits of adding fish into traditional rice cultivation systems.
Approach
Six rice plots of various sizes were selected in Kebi and Ebonyi State for rice-fish trials. Each plot was modified by creating rectangular canal (1.5m wide and 0.7m deep) around the edges of the plots. Catfish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (6-8g; 5fish/m2) were stocked and fed twice daily with fish feed (to satiation) formulated using locally available ingredients. No pesticide or herbicide were applied.
Results
Rice and fish were harvested after 90 days of stocking. Harvested fish ranged from 250 – 300g (4.9 tons/ha). Production varied among plots but, were higher than national average per unit area (2.5-3.0 tons/ha national average) in all six plots. No mortality was observed although, 20 % of the fish were missing at harvest.
Predatory birds were observed around the paddy. Predation and/or poaching may have contributed to the reduced number of fish at harvest.
Our preliminary results indicate high levels of receptivity to rice-fish adoption among rice farmers in both, northern and southern Nigeria. Income and nutrition benefits from inclusion of fish are significant among households under our project.