The use of rice and fish polyculture in rice fields to improve rice yields hence food security in Bunyala - Kenya
Abstract
135 words
Rice is an important food crop in Kenya’s drive to attain food security. However, its
productivity remains low against an overall increase in national demand due to overdependence
on rice monoculture leading to decline in soil fertility resulting from continuous cultivation,
nutrient extraction through crop harvest and inadequate nutrient replacement. This can be
mitigated by modern technologies that increase soil fertility such as integrated rice-fish
(RFC) farming. Despite the potential of RFC, no attempts have been made yet in Bunyala
irrigation scheme. In the scheme, paddy fields remain flooded for 3-4 months of a growing
season during which, growth of fish is possible. RFC can give a net profit-cost ratio 4%
higher than rice monoculture due to increased rice yields, saving on labour and material
inputs and the net profits from fish production (Osiyo, 2010).
Subjects
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