A PROJECT to promote fish farming in paddy fields is being expanded because of the positive response it has received from farmers, who have benefited through improved food security and higher incomes.

The project, launched last year by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, is aimed at boosting production of fish and rice and developing the economy of rural areas.

“Many farmers have become aware of the benefits of the project, which allows them to raise fish to eat or sell, and to increase their rice harvest,” said U Khin Ko Lay, the director of the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

He said the project can increase rice yields without the use of pesticides because fish eat harmful insects, while their excretions fertilise the paddies.

The project was first implemented in the 2003-2004 fiscal year, during which fish were released on nearly 7000 acres of paddy in Yangon, Bago, Ayeyarwaddy, Mandalay and Magwe divisions, and Mon and Kayin states.
Participating rice farmers are given 500 fingerlings (small fish) free of charge for each acre of paddy field.

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries released about 3.3 million fish during the last fiscal year. Among the species released were common carp, barb, tilapia and catfish.

U Khin Ko Lay said the project will be expanded to 10,000 acres and five million fish in the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

“We will extend the program to Sagaing Division and Kachin State this fiscal year,” he said.

The average fish production is between five and 10 viss (a viss is 3.6 pounds) an acre, and the fish can be caught during a three-month cultivation period that corresponds with the monsoon paddy season.

He said that he expected the total yield to be about 100,000 viss during this year’s monsoon season, based on a survival rate of 40 per cent.