Paddy Field Fish Culture (Also Named Fish Culture in Paddy Field)

Problem Identification: The bad harvest of paddy resulting in a high price of rice, accompanying with the low income of farmers.

Problem Delineation: Firstly, the growth of paddy needs a mass of water to survive, and it is hard and cost to fertilizer and to sterilize the fields, especially in a rainy season. And manure is hardly to be absorbed sometimes. In addition, there are usually some problems with pests and weeds, which are seriously, influence the output of paddy.

Information gathering: The primary function is that the solution can deal with the problem of low harvest and high cost. And it can at least help reduce the disasters of pests and weeds. Moreover, if it can help solve the problem of manure absorption as well, the solution is the best.

Idea generation: Firstly, farmers can utilize the genetic engineering to make paddy adapt to different kinds of environments and climate. Secondly, we can use a traditional agricultural technique, rice-fish science. The rice-fish agricultural system, as a kind of unique local knowledge assimilated with local society, has long existed. Fish farming, by means of the water of rice paddy, can not only get abundant fish, but also get rid of pests and weeds, and then, fishes excrete feces, flipping soil promoting decomposition of fertilizer, which create a good condition for rice growth(2012). Generally, this system can make the rice yield by ten percent or so.

Idea evaluation and refinement:
The genetic engineering may be dangerous to people’s health, and needs a great deal of investment into genetic engineering

Advantages of rice-fish culture (2010):
1. Economize on cultivated land
2. Economize on fertilizer
3. Economize on working
4. Economize on pesticides
5. Increase in grain yield
6. Increase in fish yield
7. Increase income

Ecological benefits of rice-fish culture
1. Increase in efficient impounding
2. Deinsectization, insect terminator, disease prevention
3. Promote the ecological environment optimization
4. Pronounced effect on enhance and preserve soil fertility
5. Sustainable offering

Disadvantages of rice-fish culture:
1. Limitation in areas, only in high precipitation areas, this technique can be applied.
2. It still needs a lot of water.
3. The management of rice-fish agriculture is much complex.

References:

Baike, 2012, ‘Paddy Field Fish Culture’, viewed 11st October 2012, <http://baike.baidu.com/view/782914.htm>

Xinhua, 2010, ’Benefits Analysis of Rice-Fish’, viewed 11st October 2012, < http://fpw.xinhua.gov.cn/a366.aspx >