Itanagar: A new method in 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 on Saturday.
The method was introduced in Khaoji and Juna-IV villages covering around 3 hectare 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 sowing of rice.
When the water level went up, the fishe 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 the larger the water area the larger the fish growth. The fish gets natural food and insects from the paddy field which also decreasing 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, fishes received 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 on Friday.
The programme was sponsored by NABARD. (PTI)
