Paddy-Cum-Fish Cultivation Technology

Trenches (3 m top width × 1.5 m bottom width × 1.0 m depth) are dug around the periphery of the farmland leaving about 3.5 m wide outer from boundary and the dugout soil is used for making dikes (about 1.5 m top width ×1.0 m height × 3.0 m bottom width) to protect free flow of water from the field and harvesting more rain water in the field and trench. The dikes are used for vegetable cultivation round the year. Remaining portion of the farmland including the trenches is used for more profitable paddycum-fish cultivation in kharif. The land (non trench and non dike area) is used for low water requiring crops during dry (rabi/ summer) seasons with the rain water harvested in furrows. Presence of deep furrows in the field provides better drainage condition in the field during the non-monsoon months. The likely cost of intervention is about Rs. 32,000/- per ha for soil excavation. Social status of the farmers will be enhanced due to improving their farm income. Environment will be protected due to reducing soil salinity, improving drainage, harvesting fresh rain water. This technology enhances the livelihood security by increasing farm income and employment generation.