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As one of the first Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), the Qingtian rice-fish co-culture system serves as a global model for sustainable rice farming of paddy field carp (Cyprinus carpio). Based on the optimization of this traditional food system, this study evaluated the muscle nutrient quality of Qingtian paddy field carp (PF-carp) under three types of fertilizers, farming modes, and two types of stocking densities, aiming to provide a research reference for future aquaculture management of rice-fish farming. The results indicated that chicken manure as a basal fertilizer was more effective for crude fat enhancement in the muscles of PF-carp, while the addition of chemical fertilizer significantly reduced the contents of crude fat, saturated fatty acid, ash, and Ca2+ elements. Compared with chicken manure, the addition of rapeseed cake could increase the contents of delicious amino acid, essential amino acid, and essential amino acid index of PF-carp without affecting other nutritional indices. Among the modern, traditional rice-fish farming and pond farming modes, the atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity index, and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio of the fatty acids produced by the modern rice-fish farming mode were in the most desirable position. No significant differences were observed in all PF-carp nutritional indices at stocking densities of 0.45 inds/m2 and 0.91 inds/m2. Results emphasize the accumulation of crude fat is more advantageous in PF-carp under modern rice-fish farming mode, and the overall fatty acid ratio is more beneficial to human cardiovascular health. Rapeseed cake application could play an important role in improving the protein quality of PF-carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the food-production efficiencies of integrated rice-fish farming and rice monoculture and evaluates how these farming systems contribute to sustainable food production in the Mekong Delta. The study explores how food-production efficiencies are influenced by the systems' ecological connectivity by comparing more integrated systems that apply integrated rice-fish farming and integrated pest management (IPM) with less integrated systems farming only rice. Rice-fish farmers with plenty of fish had significantly higher rice yields than farmers with less or no fish, especially during the second crop when the rice was grown together with the fish. A positive correlation between the fish and rice yields, indicated synergistic effects between the fish and rice, due to strengthened ecological connectivity and trophic interactions within the rice-field ecosystem. Overall, rice-fish farmers had higher rice yields than rice farmers, despite using lower amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. They also had lower rice production costs compared to rice farmers, partly because the fish helped fertilize the rice and control rice pests. They had a significantly higher profit and benefit cost ratio than rice farmers because of lower production costs, and high rice and fish yields. The results indicate that food-production efficiencies in the Mekong Delta can be enhanced through diversification and increased ecological connectivity, leading to a more efficient use of rice field ecosystem services that support a long-term and healthy production of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the food-production efficiencies of integrated rice-fish farming and rice monoculture and evaluates how these farming systems contribute to sustainable food production in the Mekong Delta. The study explores how food-production efficiencies are influenced by the systems’ ecological connectivity by comparing more integrated systems that apply integrated rice-fish farming and integrated pest management (IPM) with less integrated systems farming only rice. Rice-fish farmers with plenty of fish had significantly higher rice yields than farmers with less or no fish, especially during the second crop when the rice was grown together with the fish. A positive correlation between the fish and rice yields, indicated synergistic effects between the fish and rice, due to strengthened ecological connectivity and trophic interactions within the rice-field ecosystem. Overall, rice-fish farmers had higher rice yields than rice farmers, despite using lower amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. They also had lower rice production costs compared to rice farmers, partly because the fish helped fertilize the rice and control rice pests. They had a significantly higher profit and benefit cost ratio than rice farmers because of lower production costs, and high rice and fish yields. The results indicate that food-production efficiencies in the Mekong Delta can be enhanced through diversification and increased ecological connectivity, leading to a more efficient use of rice field ecosystem services that support a long-term and healthy production of food.

The use of pesticides in integrated rice-fish farming could have an impact on fish health. The present study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the biological effects of the insecticide bifenthrin on fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus and Hoplosternum littorale) using a caging experiment. Fish were divided into two sites: control (C) and bifenthrin exposure (BF). Two cages (n = 8 fish/cage) per species were placed separately at each site. The BF application (Seizer ®) was carried out with a coastal sprayer according to the BF recommended dose for rice cultivation (0.1 L/ha). After 72 hours, fish were collected, and gills, liver, brain, and muscle were dissected for the analysis of biomarkers of accumulation, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. In P. mesopotamicus, the main changes were observed in the muscle, where BF accumulated and induced neurotoxicity (inhibition of cholinesterase activity) and oxidative stress (activation of antioxidant enzymes, decreased glutathione levels, increased lipid peroxidation). The gills and liver also showed changes in some markers of the antioxidant system. In H. littorale, BF exposure induced changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in liver (activation of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation) and gill tissues (alteration in antioxidant markers). These results show that the use of bifenthrin in rice fields poses a risk to fish farming under current pesticide management practices. Furthermore, its use could affect other species in these agroecosystems, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological and productive consequences in a context of increasing pyrethroid use worldwide., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest ☒ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. ☐ The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:, (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Imparting knowledge on agriculture and ecology is important for the preservation of nature. This study suggested the design of a rice–fish mixed farming (RFMF) paddy for urban agriculture and ecological education in Korea. This RFMF paddy supports the growth of rice as well as freshwater fish. ANOVA statistical analysis was conducted, and an RFMF paddy was necessary for urban agriculture/education and confirmed that biodiversity was high. To this aim, the design of a 10 m × 10 m RFMF paddy was suggested. Vegetation, insects, and aquatic invertebrates of the RFMF paddy constituted approximately 40 species more than a conventional paddy. The quality of an actual farm's soil and water was assessed, and techniques for the co-cultivation of rice and fish are proposed. The soil must comply with the standards of Korean paddy soil, and the water must be in the temperature range of 15 to 35 °C. In the proposed design, approximately 44.0 kg rice can be produced, and catfish can grow up to 30 cm. The study suggested many experiences using rice and freshwater fish. On the basis of our study design, a virtual model of an RFMF paddy was developed in consideration of the accessible space. The development of RFMF paddies in educational institutions can promote biodiversity in cities while providing ecological education regarding aquatic plants and insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sector needs to make breakthroughs in the design of production systems to improve farmers' income and operation efficiency. One of the ways is to redesign rice production methods by applying a rice-fish farming system. Lamongan has a different system that combines rice cultivation with vannamei shrimp. Due to the limitation of farmers, the efficiency of the system has not yet reached the optimal level. This study describes the rice-fish farming system, identifies the SWOT and generated the grand strategy matrix, and analyzed the profit efficiency using Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The results showed that the strengths and opportunities are more influential, where the position was in the quadrant I; which means it is in a good strategic position. Meanwhile, the input factors which significantly influence profit where the cost of paddy seed, the cost of organic fertilizer, the cost of inorganic fertilizer, the cost of pesticide, and the cost of shrimp feed. The profit efficiency analysis shows that respondents engaged in this system did not efficiently allocate inputs and production cost factors appropriately. The average profit efficiency level was 78.05 percent; it means that there were still opportunities to increase profits from the system by 21.5 percent.

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Imparting knowledge on agriculture and ecology is important for the preservation of nature. This study suggested the design of a rice–fish mixed farming (RFMF) paddy for urban agriculture and ecological education in Korea. This RFMF paddy supports the growth of rice as well as freshwater fish. ANOVA statistical analysis was conducted, and an RFMF paddy was necessary for urban agriculture/education and confirmed that biodiversity was high. To this aim, the design of a 10 m × 10 m RFMF paddy was suggested. Vegetation, insects, and aquatic invertebrates of the RFMF paddy constituted approximately 40 species more than a conventional paddy. The quality of an actual farm’s soil and water was assessed, and techniques for the co-cultivation of rice and fish are proposed. The soil must comply with the standards of Korean paddy soil, and the water must be in the temperature range of 15 to 35 °C. In the proposed design, approximately 44.0 kg rice can be produced, and catfish can grow up to 30 cm. The study suggested many experiences using rice and freshwater fish. On the basis of our study design, a virtual model of an RFMF paddy was developed in consideration of the accessible space. The development of RFMF paddies in educational institutions can promote biodiversity in cities while providing ecological education regarding aquatic plants and insects.

Capital is one of the important aspects in the development of farming system because with large capital, it is expected that the farming will run more and provide welfare for farmers who do the farming. Capital can be obtained from external sources by using loan. This research aims to determine the factors that influence the decision of farmers to use loan at Rice-Fish farming in Seyegan District, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. In this research, data were collected from 50 respondents by questionnaires and interviews with proportional sampling method where 25 respondents were taken from Margodadi Village, Seyegan District and adjusted to take 25 respondents from Margoluwih Village, Seyegan District. To analyze the factors that influence the decision of farmers using loan used Binary Logistic Regression Model. Partial test result shows that variables influence farmer's decision to borrow money are farmer’s education level, land area, the use of fish seeds, and loan procedures.

Meeting the demand for carbohydrate and animal protein to feed the ever increasing population of Bangladesh is a huge challenge. Integrated rice-fish farming offers a unique solution to this problem. However, the productivity and profitability of rice-fish culture mostly depend on suitable fish species, mixture ratio in case of polyculture and stocking density among others. The study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density and mixture ratio on the productivity of rice cum Nile tilapia and Common carp fish culture. Fifteen different combinations of three stocking densities (8, 16 and 24 fingerlings 10 m-2) and five mixture ratios of nile tilapia and common carp (1:1, 1:0, 0:1, 1:2 and 2:1) along with rice sole culture were considered as experimental treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All the rice yield parameters (except thousand grain weight) were enhanced due to integration of fish which resulted in increased grain weight hill-1. Stocking densities of 16 or 24 fingerlings 10 m-2 irrespective of mixture ratio produced higher grain weight hill-1 than 8 fingerlings 10 m-2. But rice sole and rice-fish culture produced similar grain yield despite higher grain weight hill-1 in rice-fish culture, because keeping ditches in rice-fish culture allowed lower no. of hills compared to rice sole culture. Both tilapia and carp showed highest growth rate and survival rate (%) at the lowest stocking density (8 fingerlings 10 m-2) irrespective of mixture ratio. But tilapia showed the highest productivity in monoculture (1:0) at the stocking densities of 24 or 16 fingerlings 10 m-2 (764.1 and 687 kg ha-1, respectively); carp on the other hand yielded the highest in monoculture (0:1) at the stocking densities of 8 or 16 fingerlings 10 m-2 (828.7 and 747.9 kg ha-1, respectively). Culture of tilapia and carp in 1:2 ratio @ 24 fingerlings 10 m-2 with rice resulted in the highest total fish (tilapia+carp) yield (930 kg ha-1). All the rice-fish culture systems resulted in higher gross return and higher net return (except monoculture of carp @ 24 fingerlings 10 m-2) than rice sole culture. Only lowest stocking density irrespective of mixture ratio produced higher Benefit cost ratio (BCR) than rice sole culture. On the other hand, higher stocking densities resulted in lower BCR. Therefore, for higher productivity, mixed culture of tilapia and carp in 1:2 ratio @ 24 fingerlings 10 m-2 can be integrated with rice, but from economic view point, monoculture of carp @ 24 fingerlings 10 m-2 in rice field may be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are important for agricultural development; however, animals involved in rice-fish farming absorb the pesticides used during the farming process. Thiamethoxam (TMX) is extensively used in agriculture and is gradually occupying the market for traditional pesticides. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether selenomethionine (SeMet) could affect the survival rate, bioaccumulation of TMX, serum biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidants in the hepatopancreas, and expression of stress genes after exposure of red swamp crayfish to 10 ppt TMX for 7 days. The results showed that the survival rate significantly increased and the bioaccumulation of TMX significantly decreased with SeMet administration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, severe histological damage to the hepatopancreas of red crayfish was observed after exposure to TMX; however, this damage was alleviated after SeMet administration. SeMet also significantly reduced the TMX-induced changes in serum biochemical parameters, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant enzyme activity in crayfish hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). Notably, analysis of the expression of 10 stress response genes showed that 0.5 mg/kg SeMet might decrease cell damage in the hepatopancreas. Consequently, our findings suggest that higher levels of TMX in crayfish may cause hepatopancreatic cell toxicity, which can be harmful to human health; however, SeMet could mitigate these effects, providing an understanding of pesticide compounds and food safety. [Display omitted] • Thiamethoxam (TMX) induced oxidative stress to hepatopancreas of crayfish. • Histopathological damage was present under TMX exposure. • Selenomethionine (SeMet) may reduce the bioaccumulation of TMX. • SeMet may relieve oxidative stress after TMX exposure in crayfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been growing acceptance in Asia that consumer participation in green consumption can lead to sustainable agriculture and aquaculture development. In this context, this study investigates how consumers’ psychological (i.e., attitudes and social norms) and socio-economic characteristics affect their willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainable agricultural products. To this end, the study incorporates attitude and social norms as components of the theory of reasoned action into the contingent valuation method, thereby establishing an estimation model for consumers’ WTP. Based on an online market survey of adults in South Korea from June to July 2018, the results show that consumers’ attitudes and social norms positively affect WTP for the rice and loach produced through integrated agriculture−aquaculture (IAA). However, the variables in the model affect consumers’ WTP differently, depending on the type of IAA product. For IAA rice, both socio-economic (e.g., income) and psychological variables affect WTP. However, in the case of IAA loach, only social norms are statistically significant in affecting consumers’ WTP.

This paper, on rural restructuring in China, focuses on the ability of agricultural heritage systems to adapt to modernizing conditions in the rural economy. Since 2002, when FAO initiated the protection of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), the value of agricultural heritage has been widely acknowledged, as has the importance and urgency to protect the systems in which they are embedded. However, such complex systems have not been fully assessed for their contribution to food security, ecosystem services and cultural preservation, as well as their ability to adapt to the demands of modernization. In fact, they have not been effectively evaluated as whole systems, largely because we have not yet devised satisfactory ways of studying complex systems, nor have we been able to assess them fully for their multi-faceted contributions to sustainability. This paper accepts the premise that such systems are sustainable in that they have survived as agro-ecosystems for many hundreds of years, having endured the predations of droughts, famines, plagues, floods and wars. This ability to sustain a rich diversity of biological and human systems is considered, in the theory of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS), to be a form of resilience, meaning that these systems have either formed a new normal or returned to the old normal after a period of environmental or social stress. In effect, ancient agricultural heritage systems can be seen to represent what has been traditional and normal in China, but which today are faced with the overwhelming forces of modernization. Taking three examples from Qingtian County in Southern China, where physical and political conditions are consistent, the paper shows how similar rice-fish systems adapt differently and sustain themselves in the face of modernization, and particularly to the loss of youth and labor to urbanisation. One system self-adjusts by using remittances from abroad to sustain the system: an example of self-organization. In another township, the pursuit of tourism is the main form of adaptation to large losses of working population and marginal incomes. To maintain the landscape as a key attraction for tourists, this community has re-assembled abandoned rice terraces and is farming them as a collective enterprise under the auspices of a co-operative: an example of land and labor restructuring that has become common as the dominant form of agrarian change in China. In a third example, the local rice-fish system is being strengthened by modern farming technology and scientific techniques: an example of technological adaptation. The discussion explores the three responses as evidence of sustainable practice involving local restructuring, continued ingenuity, and the creative support of local governments in the face of the homogenizing demands of modernization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to identify Technical-AgronomicFactors Impressible from Fish Farming in Rice Fields.This investigation carried out by descriptive survey duringJuly-August 2009. Studied cities including Talesh, Rezvanshahrand Masal set in Tavalesh region near to Caspian Sea, Northof Iran. The questionnaire validity and reliability were determinedto enhance the dependability of the results. Data were collectedfrom 184 respondents (61 adopters and 123 non-adopters)randomly sampled from selected villages and analyzed usinglogistic regression analysis. Results showed that there was asignificant positive relationship (p

This study was conducted in Narail district, Bangladesh between January and June, 2012; with a view to describing the status of rice- prawn-finfish based aquaculture practices. Average area of plots was 0.55±0.44 ha, of which mean ditch area was 4.35±2.02% of total land. All farmers dry their plots and made renovation prior to start of a new growing season followed by liming and fertilization. No standard stocking density was maintained, prawns were stocked at 15895 PL/ha, whereas fin fishes at 1551 seeds/ha. Commercial feed was applied in all the plots. Production of prawn, stocked and non-stocked fin fishes were found 380.34±155.25 kg/ha; 713.65±352.99 kg/ha and 51.73±24.55 kg/ha respectively. Average cost and income for fish culture were 120514.07±36758.35 BDT/ha and 232497.48±76594.80 BDT/ha respectively. Average rice production was 4229.78±856.71 kg/ha. Low growth and high mortality of PL; scarcity, high and uprising price of feeds; and floods were identified as the major problems.

The global demand for food production will increase because of rapid population growth and increased competition for land and water. The ever-increasing demand for water in agriculture is one of the key limiting factors for food production. Thus, producing more food for each drop of water is vital to addressing water scarcity and food insecurity. This article provides an overview of integrated aquaculture-agriculture (IAA) that has great potential to increase food productivity and reduce risks associated with water scarcity. The practice of pond-based IAA and rice-fish farming is recognized as an efficient use of water, which increases water productivity and food security. IAA also provides a wide range of social, economic, and environmental benefits. It is, therefore, recognized that IAA produces 'more crop per drop'. We suggest that the wider adoption of IAA with efficient use of blue and green water would increase global water productivity and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trophic dynamics of integrated rice and fish farming (IRF) systems were studied in irrigated rice plots stocked with common carp in Madagascar. Fish feeding behavior was assessed by analyzing stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of fish and natural feed sources. Stable isotope signatures of 45-day-old carp fry introduced into rice plots (δ13C = −18.8‰ ± 0.5‰, δ15N = 9.3‰ ± 0.6‰) revealed that they had been fed chicken egg yolk and corn meal, in accordance with local practices. However, after a 100-day growing period in experimental rice plots, 13C and 15N depletion was observed for 145-day-old carp, indicating a change in feeding sources. Under extensive conditions, common carp that fed on rice roots, sediments and suspended particulate organic matter (i.e. plant debris and detritus) had a larger trophic niche (3‰2) than 45-day-old carp (1.2‰2). Overall, common carp feeding behavior and the trophic food web in the IRF system suggest that increasing natural productivity through organic fertilization will enhance ecological intensification of both rice and fish production. • We investigated trophic web of rice-fish farming systems. • δ13C and δ15N signatures of fish and feed sources in rice fields were analyzed. • Fed carps fry switched to natural feed sources when reared in extensive rice fields. • Carp diet in extensive rice field consisted mainly of plant debris and detritus. • Trophic webs provide insights for ecological intensification of rice-fish farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-stage rainwater conservation technique was intervened in the farmers field of rainfed shallow low land, in which, part of the rainwater is conserved in rice field up to the weir crest level and the remaining in a refuge for rearing of fish ( Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala and Cyprinus carpio). The conserved rainwater in the refuge is also used for giving supplemental irrigation to rice crop during rainy season and growing a light duty crop in winter season. On-farm experiment was conducted in the farmer's field for three consecutive years to study the scope and feasibility of this technique in enhancing productivity and cropping intensity. Three different weir heights (15, 20 and 25 cm) were considered as treatments with two replications each. Refuge occupying areas of 5-8 % of the rice field with a depth of 1.75 m were constructed at the downstream side of each plot. As a result of this intervention, the mono-cropped area could be gradually brought under double cropping. The rice yield increased from 1.8 to 5.3 t/ha. Fish yield of as high as 1,693 kg/ha was obtained for a fish rearing period of about 6 months. The net water productivity increased from 3.76 to 7.38 Rs./m. The highest net return of Rs. 63,572 was recorded in 20 cm weir height plots with a benefit cost ratio of 2.60. The system generated employment opportunity, increased income for farmers and provided nutritional security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted during wet season to evaluate the performance of different fish species for biocontrol of weeds in rainfed waterlogged rice fields with fingerlings of three exotic carps – grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella(Val.) (Cyprinidae,Cypriniformes), silver barb,Puntius gonionotus(Bleeker) (Cyprinidae,Cypriniformes) and common carp,Cyprinus carpio(L.) (Cyprinidae,Cypriniformes) – and three Indian major carps – rohu,Labeo rohita(Ham.) (Cyprinidae,Cypriniformes), catla,Catla catla(Ham.) (Cyprinidae,Cypriniformes), mrigal,Cirrhinus mrigala(Ham.) (Cyprinidae,Cypriniformes). A total of 13 major weeds under the categories of grassy, sedges, broadleaf and aquatic weeds were observed in the rice fields. Grass carp reduced maximum weed biomass (weed control efficiency [WCE] 63% at 60 days after transplanting [DAT] and 62% at 100 DAT) followed by silver barb and common carp. Among the Indian carps, only rohu was effective in control of weeds (WCE, 23% at 60 DAT). The grain yield of rice (variety Varshadhan) slightly increased (4.2–4.5 t/ha), but straw yield was significantly higher (10.2–10.7 t/ha) under rice-fish farming. Fish yield was significantly higher in exotic carps (270–288 kg/ha/90days) due to higher specific growth rates (1.8–2% body weight/day). The study indicated that exotic carps (grass carp, silver barb and common carp in order) were more effective than Indian carps for control of weed in rainfed lowland rice fields and among the Indian carps, rohu showed potential for weed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison of agricultural practices, with a specific focus on pesticide use, between rice and rice-fish farmers in the Cần Thơ and Tiền Giang provinces of the Mekong Delta in 2007, shows that integrated rice-fish farming can provide a competitive alternative to intensive rice mono-cropping, if the farmer restricts the use of pesticides and takes full advantage of the ecosystem services provided by the rice-field ecosystem. In Cần Thơ, rice-fish farmers had significantly higher income (43.6 million dong ha−1 year−1) than other farmer groups, while this was not seen among rice-fish famers in Tiền Giang (32.4 million dong ha−1 year−1), which partly could be due to a high use of insecticides (0.9 kg active ingredient ha−1 crop−1) and comparatively low fish yield among these farmers. The study emphasizes the need to rethink current agricultural systems and to provide opportunities for more diverse systems that maintain and enhance a range of ecosystem services and protect human health. Future production systems should not be optimized to only provide a single ecosystem service, such as rice, but designed to deliver a variety of interlinked ecosystem service such as rice, fish, pest control, and nutrient recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the use of pesticides and attitude to pest management strategies among rice and rice-fish farmers in Cn Th and Tin Giang provinces of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, in 2007. A comparison is made to a similar study in 1999, in order to identify changes in patterns of pesticide use and possible influences of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes and brown planthopper (a major pest) outbreaks. One hundred and twenty farmers used 66 different pesticides, similar to the 64 pesticides recorded as being used in the 1999 survey. Nine of the 10 most popular pesticides in 2007 were the same as those found to be popular in 1999. Insecticides are used by 73–95% of the farmers, which is the most commonly employed type of pesticide. The number of applications of both herbicides and fungicides has more than halved since 1999 for all farmers, while insecticide applications has doubled for IPM farmers (those with prior training in IPM methodology). Similarly, the average dose of active ingredient (a.i.) of insecticides per crop has decreased slightly for non-IPM rice farmers, while it has more than doubled among IPM farmers, resulting in almost the same amount of a.i. per crop for all groups of farmers (insecticides 0.6, fungicides 0.5, and herbicides 0.3 kg a.i. ha−1 crop−1). Overall, the results indicate a temporal trend for more selective use of pesticides and an increased awareness among non-IPM farmers of the negative side effects of pesticide use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The concept of rice–fish farming was employed to evaluate five species of fish for biological control of golden apple snail in rice. Aquaria trials were initially used to observe the predation potential of the individual fish species, followed by replicated field trials. In the aquaria studies all the fish species preyed upon the hatchlings of the golden apple snail, but at the field level only common carp and African catfish consumed snails significantly more than the other species. Common carp, which attained a recovery rate of 90% was the only fish species suitable for biological control of snail in rice. African catfish was not adaptable to the rice field conditions; the fish suffered a low recovery rate of 17% even when the plots were covered with nets to protect the fish from natural predators. The density of common carp recommended for biological control of snail in rice was 2041fish/ha. However, it was essential to set up a pond refuge to improve survival rate and to enhance fish production. The study revealed that under direct seeding planting method, the increase in plant density restricted the foraging activities of the fish. Consequently, the number of snail sampled in direct seeded plots was significantly greater than in transplanted plots. Throughout the studies, the fish neither caused a significant increase in rice yields nor a reduction in stem borer, case worm and stink bug infestations. Common carp was however, an effective predator of the golden apple snail in rice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to increase the productivity from an unit volume of rainwater, a two-stage rainwater conservation technique was conceptualized and tested, in which part of the rainwater was conserved in rice field up to the weir crest level and the remaining in a refuge for rearing of fish (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala and Cyprinus carpio) and prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Experimental study for 3 years (1999–2001) was conducted in Bhubaneswar, India. Swarna variety of rice was grown in plots of 300 m2 each with weir heights of 10, 12.5 and 15 cm as treatments having three replications each. Weir height of 12.5 cm, provision of peripheral trench on three sides of rice fields (0.5 m width and 0.3 m depth), a refuge occupying 9% of field area and fish stocking density of 25,000 ha-1 were found suitable for this system and resulted in rice equivalent yield of about 4.4 t ha-1 without application of pesticides. A net profit of Rs. 10,781.00 ha-1 was obtained from this dual production system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There has been growing acceptance in Asia that consumer participation in green consumption can lead to sustainable agriculture and aquaculture development. In this context, this study investigates how consumers' psychological (i.e., attitudes and social norms) and socio-economic characteristics affect their willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainable agricultural products. To this end, the study incorporates attitude and social norms as components of the theory of reasoned action into the contingent valuation method, thereby establishing an estimation model for consumers' WTP. Based on an online market survey of adults in South Korea from June to July 2018, the results show that consumers' attitudes and social norms positively affect WTP for the rice and loach produced through integrated agriculture–aquaculture (IAA). However, the variables in the model affect consumers' WTP differently, depending on the type of IAA product. For IAA rice, both socio-economic (e.g., income) and psychological variables affect WTP. However, in the case of IAA loach, only social norms are statistically significant in affecting consumers' WTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvesting fish in irrigation systems, sometimes involving some form of husbandry or even culture, is a practice which dates back at least two millennia. Although seldom recorded, it seems to have been widespread in the tropics and subtropics, especially in rice fields. In the present century, improved management for land-based crops and the demands for the successful raising of aquatic organisms were not generally compatible, but with the advent of integrated crop protection, this situation has changed drastically. Moreover, irrigation systems using stored or diverted water have increased exponentially during the past 50 years, but fish farming within these irrigated systems has not expanded equally, and therefore, there is now a huge potential for this integrated enterprise. A systematic approach to fish farming development at irrigation system level which will make this integration a viable enterprise is proposed. The whole range of aquatic habitats created by irrigation systems can be integrated with fish farming. Small and large irrigation reservoirs, the extensive network of irrigation canals, the irrigated fields themselves, as well as adjacent ponds or aquatic refuges of various sorts are all potential sites for nursing or grow-out of fish. In many countries, there is now relatively easy access to fish seed, even in inland areas. Permanent water bodies should be stocked with a central pool of culture species harvested from short-lived habitats which serve as nurseries. A flexible system of moving culture fish within the system of habitats should be feasible. For example, stocking material for reservoirs can be obtained from irrigated rice fields where the short maturation period of the crop only permits the harvest of fingerlings. If a pragmatic and flexible approach is made to use all habitats for fish production, there could be a year-round supply of fish and a minimum wastage of stocks of cultured fish. The use of high-yielding fish of good quality is... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]