Aquaculture-based Integrated Farming Systems

1. Introduction

• Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, prawns, and other aquatic species under controlled or semi-controlled conditions.
  When aquaculture is integrated with livestock and crop enterprises, it forms a multi-enterprise farming system known as Integrated Fish Farming.
• It allows optimum use of land, water, and organic wastes by recycling nutrients and generating multiple outputs from the same resources.
• Definition (FAO, 1990): “Integrated fish farming is a diversified and coordinated system in which fish are cultured along with other agricultural or livestock enterprises in a mutually beneficial manner.”

Objectives of Aquaculture-based Farming Systems

• To maximize resource use efficiency (land, water, nutrients).
• To reduce input costs by recycling farm waste as fish feed or manure.
• To increase overall productivity and profitability per unit area.
• To ensure nutritional security through fish, milk, meat, and eggs.
• To promote sustainable livelihood for small and marginal farmers.

2. Components of Integrated Aquaculture Systems

3. Types of Integrated Aquaculture Systems

3.1 Duck–Fish Farming System

Overview; This is one of the most efficient and popular integrated systems, especially in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Odisha.
Ducks act as natural pond managers and nutrient recyclers.

Components and Integration

• Ducks: 150–200 ducks per hectare of fish pond.
• Fish Species: Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Common carp, Grass carp.
• Ducks swim in the pond, stirring up pond bottom, enhancing oxygenation.
• Duck droppings act as organic manure and promote plankton growth (fish food).
• Ducks feed on insects, snails, weeds, and leftover grains, reducing feed costs.

Advantages

• Fish yield: 3.5–5.0 tonnes/ha/year.
• Additional output: 3,000–4,000 eggs/duck/year.
• No additional feed or fertilizer cost for fish pond.
• Effective pest and weed control.

Common Breeds: Khaki Campbell, Indian Runner, White Pekin.

3.2 Poultry–Fish Farming System

Overview; Poultry litter is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter, which fertilizes pond water and enhances natural fish food production.

Integration Method

• Poultry house built on pond dykes or partially over the pond.
• Droppings directly fall into pond water.
• Stocking rate: 400–500 birds/ha of fish pond.
• Poultry manure application: 50–60 kg/day/ha in small ponds.

Advantages

• Fish yield: 3–4 tonnes/ha/year.
• Chicken meat and eggs as additional income.
• Reduced fertilizer cost for pond.
• Efficient nutrient recycling and zero waste discharge.

Fish Species; Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Tilapia, Grass carp.

3.3 Dairy–Fish Farming System

Overview In this system, cow dung and washings from dairy units are used as pond manure, and fodder crops can be grown on pond embankments.

Integration Method

• One dairy cow produces about 20–25 kg dung/day.
• Apply cow dung to pond at 5000–10,000 kg/ha/year in split doses.
• Crop residues or fodder from pond embankment fed to cattle.
• Pond water (rich in nutrients) used for irrigating crops/fodder.

Advantages

• Fish yield: 2.5–3.5 tonnes/ha/year.
• Milk production: 2000–2500 L/cow/year.
• Recycling of dairy waste reduces environmental pollution.
• Integrated Dairy–Fish–Crop system enhances nutrient flow efficiency.

Fish Species; Common carp, Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Silver carp.

3.4 Piggery–Fish Farming System

Overview; Highly successful in North-Eastern India and hilly regions due to the popularity of pork.
Pig excreta is rich in nutrients and acts as excellent pond manure.

Integration Method

• Pigsties constructed on pond embankment or above pond.
• Excreta directly fall into pond or collected and applied manually.
• Stocking rate: 40–60 pigs/ha of fish pond.
• Pig waste acts as direct feed for some fish species (e.g., common carp, tilapia).

Advantages

• Fish yield: 4–6 tonnes/ha/year.
• 60–70% of pig feed derived from farm by-products.
• Additional pork production: 1.5–2 tonnes/ha/year.
• Efficient nutrient recycling; no chemical fertilizer required.

Fish Species; Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Grass carp, Silver carp.

Pig Breeds; Large White Yorkshire, Landrace, Hampshire, Ghungroo.

3.5 Crop–Fish–Livestock Integrated System

• Overview; A combination of crop cultivation, fish culture, and livestock rearing on the same farm unit to utilize all resources efficiently.
• Example: Rice–Fish–Duck system in Assam and West Bengal.

Integration Process

• Fish fingerlings introduced into flooded rice fields.
• Ducks feed on insects, and their droppings fertilize the field.
• After paddy harvest, fish pond reused for vegetable crops.

Advantages

• Rice yield: +10–15% increase.
• Fish yield: 500–1000 kg/ha/year (additional).
• Reduces pest, weed, and snail population.
• Improves nutrient cycling and soil fertility.

4. Advantages of Integrated Aquaculture Systems

5. Constraints in Integrated Aquaculture

• High initial investment for pond and shed construction.
• Disease transmission risk between livestock and fish (if unmanaged).
• Water contamination if over-manuring occurs.
• Technical knowledge gap among farmers.
• Market linkage and processing infrastructure limitations.

6. Management Considerations

1. Maintain optimum manure load to prevent eutrophication.
2. Use balanced fish species combination (surface, column, bottom feeders).
3. Regular water quality monitoring (pH, DO, ammonia).
4. Construct drainage channels to manage waste safely.
5. Integrate crop components on pond dykes for vegetables and fodder.

7. Productivity Comparison (Indicative Figures)

8. Case Examples from India

• Assam and West Bengal: Rice–Fish–Duck integrated systems.
• Kerala: Duck–Fish and Poultry–Fish models in Kuttanad region.
• Punjab and Haryana: Dairy–Fish–Crop systems in canal command areas.
• Nagaland & Mizoram: Pig–Fish–Vegetable systems for hilly terrains.