Introduction
Diversification of rice farming with fish allows farmers to harvest the combined yields of the rice and fish crops and this increased production contributes to improved food security. Beyond the production function, however, integrated rice-fish systems may also stimulate and catalyse the achievement of at least nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fourteen SDGs targets. This presentation examines how rice-fish farming as a farm diversification strategy can contribute to achieving the SDGs, based on research as well as insights from farmers’ field experiences.
Contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals
The promotion of low-cost integrated rice-fish* farming systems (RFS) leads to higher yields and sale of surpluses reducing the proportion of population living below the national poverty line (SDG 1: No poverty - targets 1.1, 1.2). At the same time, fish from rice fields provide poor families with a constant supply of nutritious food: A “poor man’s fridge”. Fish provide an emergency meal when other foods are too expensive or unavailable (SDG 2: Zero hunger - targets 2.1, 2.2). The farm diversification with fish helps farmers make the transition to healthier food production, promotes an ecological perspective in food production, and reduces the incidence of diseases in farming communities (SDG 3: Good health and well-being - target 3.3). Women and younger family members in particular support the diversification towards RFS as it lessens their burden to forage food (SDG 5: Gender equality - target 5.1). Also, farmers pay more attention to water management and water-use efficiency increases in RFS. Avoidance of harmful pesticides allows farmers to grow other foods safely at the same time (e.g. aquatic plants) (SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation - targets 6.3, 6.4, 6.6). RFS provide decent work on the farm and can kick-start a farming transition as economic benefits increase (SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth - targets 8.2, 8.3), reducing the proportion of poor people living below 50 per cent of the median income (SDG 10: Reduced inequalities - target 10.1). Farmers pay more attention towards the ecological use of resources in the watershed (SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production - target 12.2). Finally, experimenting with diversification leads to enhanced knowledge. Modification of rice fields e.g. with a deepened refuge can enhance resilience to effects of climate change (SDG 13: Climate action - target 13.3).
Conclusion
The transition from rice farming to integrated rice-fish systems can contribute to the achievement of several SDGs in all three dimensions – economic, social and environmental. Governments and international development agencies should promote rice farm diversification with fish and support its upscaling, for the benefit of farming communities and the environment.
*The term “fish” includes finfish as well as other captured and cultured aquatic organisms.