Raising fish in rice fields reaches 130 million VND/ha

(Baonghean.vn) - In the summer-autumn crop of 2016, farmers in Do Luong town promoted the conversion of more than half of the rice-growing land area to fish farming, earning 130 million VND/ha.

Rice fields converted to raise fish in Do Luong

These days, unlike many farmers in the district who are busy sowing rice fields, fish farmers in Do Luong town are quite idle. Because the fish have been released. Investing in fish farming in the fields until the 12th lunar month is a breakthrough for farmers. However, the initial investment is not small.

Mr. Nguyen Nhat Hai, a household investing in this model, said: "I rented a machine to renovate the pond, which cost 14 million VND, and releasing fish cost nearly ten million more, but the harvest for one crop was also over 50 million VND."

The area of ​​fish farming in rice fields of farmers in Do Luong town reaches 44.7 hectares/ total 75.7 hectares of agricultural land in Do Luong town.

According to farmers here, raising fish in rice fields has many advantages over growing rice or raising fish in ponds. Because from the beginning of raising until the first 4-5 months, the fish do not have to be fed, but the fish will take advantage of food sources from by-products in the rice fields of the Winter-Spring crop.

Talking about the benefits of raising fish in rice fields compared to growing rice, Ms. Tran Thi Hien - a fish farmer confided: "Our family's fish farming area is 7 hectares, the fish will take advantage of the large food source in the field. In our opinion, raising fish is much healthier than growing rice, we do not have to invest in fertilizer, and the profit is 3-4 times higher than growing rice."

Harvesting and selling fish in Do Luong town

Currently, the area of ​​fish farming in rice fields of farmers in Do Luong town reaches 44.7 hectares/ total 75.7 hectares of agricultural land in Do Luong town. The fish farming of farmers lasts for 7 months. On an area of ​​1 hectare, farmers have invested 20 kg of seeds, mainly grass carp and silver carp, accounting for 80%, the rest is silver carp and sesame.

The number of households raising fish this year increased to 40. Some households boldly raised fish on an area of ​​several hectares, even 10 hectares, typically Mr. Nguyen Van Ha in block 5.

Rice fish in Do Luong has firm meat because it is naturally raised, so it attracts consumers.

It is not easy for farmers to raise fish in large areas of rice fields. Previously, the Do Luong Town Party Committee and Government had conducted a pilot program before expanding the area.

During the 7-month process of raising fish in rice fields, only the last 2 to 3 months require additional food sources for the fish. Therefore, raising fish in rice fields will greatly reduce costs for farmers.

It is estimated that the fish yield of 1 hectare will reach 2 to 2.2 tons, earning from 90-100 million VND, plus the yield of a spring rice crop of nearly 35 million VND. Thus, 1 hectare of fish farming intercropped with rice will reach approximately 130 million VND.

Traders come to buy fish to sell.

However, the form of rice-fish farming is still mainly based on traditional experience, and productivity is not high. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to investing in infrastructure, especially irrigation systems for fish farming areas.

On the other hand, to help households feel secure in investing in production, departments need to provide guidance on techniques, market access, and investment in seeds and capital to help farmers implement the rice-fish farming model effectively.

Le Ngoc Phuong

(Do Luong Radio)