Integrated Farming System for Sustainble Ecosystem & Entrepreneurship of Rural Farming Community in India

INTRODUCTION
Animal husbandry, Fishery and allied farming practices form the mainstay of food production in rural areas of India. A majority of the population lives in rural areas and depends for their livelihood on animal Husbandry and allied enterprises. There is a tremendous pressure to step up the food production for the people of rural sectors in India. This calls for a planned utilization of the agricultural land and water resources, with an integrated approach, to produce diverse food in large quantities from a unit area, to meet the requirements of the people.  Fishery farming also plays significant role in the economic development of the rural farming communities in India. The composite fish culture comprising of both Indian major carps (catla, rohu, mrigal) and exotic carps (silver carp, grass carp, common carp) would be a viable proposition and can be practiced in different elevations with suitable modifications in species combination and ratio. However, in a rural set up, fish culture becomes more economical when integrated with agriculture, animal Husbandry and allied enterprises. In integrated Livestock and Fish farming, fish derives benefit from agriculture crops and livestock and at the same time, the land crops and livestock derive benefit from the aquaculture ponds, thus resulting sustainable, productive and profitable entrepreneurship as well as friendly ecosystem for farming community in rural India.

INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM (IFS)?
The farming practice where more than one component is involved and when the bye-product of one component is utilized for the benefit of other component, the system is known as Integrated farming. This method of farming is based on the concept of achieving maximum return from a limited farm space available. In Integrated farming, when fish is one of the components, it is known as Integrated Livestock-fish farming. Its main benefits comes from the conversion of livestock waste into protein and more important is the indirect fertilization effects through livestock excreta entering the pond, thus enhancing microbial and plankton production which contributes to balanced  fish nutrition along with eco-friendly composite livestock production system.

RELEVANCE OF INTEGRATED LIVESTOCK-FISH FARMING
In India, where a majority of the population lives in rural areas and of whom many are under-nourished, supply of protein rich food is essential. Therefore, development of integrated farming systems suitable for rural situations and based on the resources available with the farmer is important.

Integrated livestock farming including Poultry birds or Ducks along with fish is an age old practice, consisting of the culture of fish associated with the husbandry of domesticated animals such as Pigs, Cattle, Goat, Duck, and Poultry etc. Intensive farming of livestock would produce large quantities of manure and animal waste, which needs to be disposed in order to prevent serious environmental problems. These wastes can be effectively converted to manure for not only agricultural crops, but also for the production of fish. When used in fish ponds, organic wastes to a tune of about 4.0-5.0 kg are converted to 1.0 kg of fish. The end product is an improved production of animal protein, particularly needed in a developing country like India. The aim of integrated farming is the recycling of animal wastes (faces, urine and spoiled feeds) to serve as fertilizers, and sometimes as food for fish grown in ponds. According to Pillay (1990), the basic principles involved in integrated farming are the utilization of the synergetic effects of inter-related farm activities, and the conservation, including the full utilization of farm wastes. It is based on the concept that “there is no waste”, and “waste is only a misplaced resource which can become a valuable material for another product” (FAO, 1977). In rural area of various states, in almost all the households, a livestock component is a common scenario and if the farmer has got ponds for fish culture, integration of fishery with livestock would be a viable proposition.

INTEGRATED LIVESTOCK-FISH FARMING SYSTEMS

FISH HUSBANDRY
For profitable fish culture, the pond is to be managed scientifically. In order to obtain high fish production per hectare of water body, fast growing, compatible species of Indian and Exotic carps of different feeding habits are stocked & cultured in the same pond which is popularly known as Composite fish culture or Poly-culture or Mixed farming. The composite fish culture can be done in the following way:

i) SELECTION OF POND
The pond can be seasonal or perennial. The perennial ponds, which retain water throughout the year, are selected for culture of table size fish. Generally 0.1 ha or above water area of a pond are suitable for raising table size fish, preferably with nearby sources of water for replenishment as and when necessary.

ii) WEED CLEARANCE
Aquatic weeds are detrimental to fish culture and cause various hazards for the normal growth of fish. The disadvantages are as follows:

1. Aquatic weeds reduce living space available for fish & causes obstruction for their’ free movement.
2. Aquatic weeds prevent sunlight form entering the pond water and thus hamper natural food production of fish.
3. Aquatic weeds consume nutrient from the pond which otherwise could have been utilized for the production fish food organisms.
4. Aquatic weeds provide shelter to fish enemies eg. Insects & cause obstruction for harvesting fish.
5. Excessive growth of aquatic weeds, particularly during cloudy days causes serious problem by upsetting the oxygen balance, which may be detrimental to the fish stock.

Aquatic weeds can easily be removed manually. Some varieties of weeds such as Duck weeds, Hydrilla, Najas, Ceratophyllum, etc. can be effectively controlled by grass carp, if adequate number of these are introduced in the ponds.

iii) ERADICATION OF WEED AND PREDATORY FISH
Presence of weed and predatory fish in the culturable pond is not at all desirable. The weed fish usually consume nutrient from the water and also compete for food, space and oxygen with the fingerlings of culturable carps. Similarly, the predatory fish directly prey on the culturable species of fingerlings. So, their eradication from ponds before stocking is an important step in scientific management. Dewatering ensures complete removal of unwanted fish.  However, where dewatering is not possible, the ponds have to be poisoned using fish toxins of plant origin. Use of chemical pesticides (fish poison) is not desirable as their detoxification process is prolonged; they leave harmful residual effect in the pond and the fish thus killed are not safe for human consumption. Mahua oil cake is a popular fish poison of plant origin and is effective at a dose of 200-250 ppm (i.e. 2000-2500 kg/ha-m depth). This, at a later stage also serves as manure.

iv) LIMING
After 15 days of mahua oil cake application, liming is followed to correct the acidity as well as to keep the pond hygienic. The dose of lime is adjusted according to pH of soil and water (Table-1). Half of the quantity is applied before stocking the fish and the rest in 8 installments as and when necessary.

Table-1: DOSE OF LIME FOR DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES

v) STOCKING
About 100-150 mm sized fingerlings are suitable for composite fish culture particularly under rural micro-situation. To ensure that the water is no longer toxic, a simple test may be performed by keeping a few fingerlings in a ‘hapa’ fixed in the pond. If the fingerlings survive for 24 hours, the pond may be considered fit for stocking the young ones. A moderate density of 7500 fingerlings/ha is recommended, but a density of 6000 fingerlings/ha is also justified when the rearing period is limited to about 8-10 months. Species combination and proportion in Eastern Region depends on the agro-climatic conditions of the region. Moreover, due attention should be given on the biological production in the pond and the availability of aquatic/terrestrial weed for grass carps. In composite fish culture pond, fingerlings should be stocked in the following ratio according to the altitudinal variation.

In lower altitudes (up to 2500 feet msl) with warm temperature: 2 Catla : 2 Rohu: 1.5 Mrigal  : 2 Silver carp: 1 Grass carp: 1.5 Common carp. In medium altitudes (up to 3500 feet msl): 2 Catla : 1 Rohu : 1 Mrigal : 3 Silver carp : 1 Grass carp : 2. Common carp. In higher altitudes (above 3500 feet and below 4500 feet msl): 4 Silver carp: 2.5 Grass carp: 3.5 Common carp.  

vi) SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING
In Integrated fish farming system with livestock no supplementary feed is required for fish. The animal house washings, which encompasses of animal dung, urine and the leftover food particles are drained into the pond, which serves as manure as well as feed to the fishes.

However, grass carp, which feeds voraciously on macro-vegetation, fodder grasses and vegetable wastes, need to be provided. It should therefore be fed by supplying aquatic weeds, viz., Wolffia, Lemna, Azolla, Spirodella, etc. or fodder grasses such as Napier, Barseem, or even lawn grass or vegetable wastes such as cabbage or cauliflower leaves. It is better to provide feed to the grass carp in a feeding frame made up of four pieces of split bamboo poles tied at their corners and made into a rectangle.

vii) RAKING
Raking of pond bottom, the day after liming should be done for proper mixing of lime. It also helps to release the obnoxious gases formed in the bottom soil.

viii) GROWTH AND HEALTH CARE
The health of fish needs to be checked regularly by periodic netting at least once in two months. Healthy fish grow well and feed voraciously. If it is noted that the feed provided is not being consumed, either the fish are suffering from some disease or the water quality is deteriorated. A check on the water quality and hygiene of the pond and the health of the fish is necessary to take remedial measures.

A) INTEGRATED PIG-CUM-FISH FARMING
The pig sty facing the pond is constructed either on the pond embankment or nearer to
the pond. The floor of the pen should be cemented with a drainage facility to the pond. A
combination of open-air and indoor system is ideal for a pig sty with a thatched roof. The drain
from the pigsty should be provided with a regulatory valve to control the release of wastes. For
healthy growth of pigs, a living space of 1 – 1. 5m² per pig is ideal.

i) SELECTION OF PIG
The exotic upgraded stock of pigs such as- large white Yorkshire, middle white Yorkshire, Berkshire Hampshire and Land race as well as native highly prolific Ghungroo Pigs are suitable for rising in comparison to local low productive Indian variety since they are quick growers and prolific breeders. They attain slaughter maturity size i. e. 60-70 kg within six months and give 6-12 piglets during every litter. During a period of one year, two crops of pigs (6 months each) can be raised.

ii) FEEDING
The pigs are fed three times a day with balanced pig mash as per their requirements and generally fed @ 1.4 kg/pig/day. Grasses and green cattle fodder are also provided to the pigs to reduce the feed coast. The green fodder can be incorporated to the extent of 15 to 30% in the feeding ration.

iii) HEALTH CARE
The resistance of pig is stronger than that of chicken. Proper care of health coupled with proper management practice, sanitary environment will keep pigs away from sick. Generally pigs suffer from diseases like- swine fever, swine plague, swine pox and may be infested with parasites. Hence, a healthy housing management is a pre-requisite for a disease-free environment or pigs and to avoid losses.

IV) HARVESTING AND PRODUCTION
Fish culture is generally practiced at least for 12 months in the integrated pig-fish system. In this period, generally, Catla attains a weight of 800 gm-1 kg, Rohu 600-800 gm, Mrigal 400-600 gm, Silver carp 1.0-1.2 kg, Grass carp 1.0-1.5 kg and Common carp 800 gm – 1.0 kg. In integrated pig-fish farming system, a fish production of at least 2.5 – 3.0 t per ha can’ be easily realized. Each pig attains slaughter maturity size of 60-70 kg in a period of 6 months. As suck, pigs are sold out after 6 months of rearing and a fresh lot of weaned piglets are introduced for further rearing.

Table-2: Economics of Integrated Pig-cum-fish farming (0.1 ha area/12 months culture period)

B) INTEGRATED DUCK-CUM-FISH FARMING:
A low cost duck house, preferably made of bamboo or cheap wood is constructed either above the pond or on the pond embankment. The duck house should be well ventilated. The floor of the house should be perforated so as to facilitate direct fall of droppings into the pond, if the duck house is constructed above the pond. Overcrowding in the duck house should be avoided as this results in poor growth  and egg production. About 0.3 to 0.5 m2 of floor space per bird is required for night shelter. The ducks are reared for about 12-18 months after which they are sold.

(i) Selection of Duck
The ducks must be of good quality and the exotic Khaki Campbell would be more suitable for integration. One duck voids on an average 125-150 gm droppings per day and hence 200-300 ducks recycle a quantity of 10,000-15,000 kg of droppings per hectare per year. The droppings contain 81% moisture, 0.9% Nitrogen and 0.38% phosphate. Two-four months old ducks are suitable for stockings and necessary prophylactic measures need to be taken at the time of stocking.

• Feeding: Ducks find their natural food from ponds, but that is not sufficient for their proper growth. The natural feed is therefore supplemented with artificial feeds. Since duck feed are not available commercially, a mixture of any balanced standard poultry feed and good quality rice bran in a ratio of 1:2 by weight can be fed to the duck. Generally 100 gm feed is provided to each duck per day.
• Egg Laying: The duck start laying eggs after attaining the age of 24 weeks and continue to lay for two years. Local variety lays between 180-200 eggs/year. Khaki Campbell about 300 eggs/year. It is advisable to keep in some straw or hay in the corner of the duck house for egg laying. The eggs are collected at around 11.00 AM after the release of ducks into the ponds.
• Health Care: A clean and hygiene environment is to be maintained in the duck pen to prevent them from any disease. An experienced farmer can detect qa sick bird among the flock by a careful look, listening to the sound of bird and by observing any reduction in daily feed consumption. A sick bird becomes restless, eyes lack brightness and water discharge comes out of eyes and nostrils. The ducks are to be vaccinated prior to stocking.
• Harvesting and production: Fish culture generally practiced at least 12 months in the integrated Pig-fish system. In this period generally, Catla attains a weight of 800 gm-1.0 kg, Rohu 600-800 gm, Mrigal 400-600 gm, Silver Carp 1.0-1.2 Kg, grass Carp 1.0-1.5 Kg and common carp 800gm-1.0Kg. In Integrated duck-fish farming system, a fish production of at least 2.0-25 t per ha can be easily realized.

A total of 37,500 to 42, 500 duck eggs and 500 to 750kg duck meat (live) can be expected from duck rearing.

Table: 3: Economics of Integrated Ducks-cum-Fish(0.1ha/12 months) culture periods

C) INTEGRATED POULTRY-FISH FARMING
The poultry house can be constructed over the pond or on the pond dyke. The poultry house can be constructed using cheaper and locally available materials. The poultry birds can be reared either in cages or through deep litter system. The deep litter system is preferred over the former due to higher manurial value of the built up deep litter. The poultry house must have adequate accommodation and well ventilated for supply of light and air. The house should be reasonably cool during summer and sufficiently warm during summer. The floor must be maintained dry throughout. The floor of the house should be perforated (4-6 cm² mesh size) and each bird requires a living space 0.30 to 0.50 m².

i) SELECTION OF POULTRY BIRDS: The fowls of Rhode Island Red, Black Australop, White Leghorn or other improved birds such as- Vanraja, Gramyapriya etc. are suitable for farming. About 8 week old chicks after vaccination and other prophylactic measures are kept in poultry house. About 500-600 birds (layer) are required to produce manure for fertilizing one hectare pond area. The fully built deep litter removed from the poultry pens is stored in suitable places and is applied to the pond @ 50 kg/ha/per day every morning.

ii) FEEDING: The poultry birds under deep litter system are fed regularly with balanced poultry feed according to their age. The feed is provided to the birds in the feed hoppers to avoid wastage and for keeping proper hygienic condition in the house. Birds are to be fed with chicken mash @ 39g /bird/day during brooding period, 50 to 70 gm/bird/day when the bird reaches the point of laying and 110 to 120 gm/ bird/day during laying.

iii) EGG LAYING: Each house is provided with some nest boxes for egg laying. Egg production commences at the age of 22 weeks. The egg laying becomes irregular from the age of 18 months after which the birds are replaced by fresh stock.

Table-4: Economics of Integrated duck-cum-fish farming (0.1 ha area/12 months culture)

iv) HARVESTING AND PRODUCTION: Fish culture is generally practiced at least for 12 months in the integrated pig-fish system. In this period, generally, Catla attains a weight of 800 gm-1 kg, Rohu 600-800 gm, Mrigal 400-600 gm, Silver carp 1.0-1.2 kg, Grass carp 1.0-1.5 kg and Common carp 800 gm – 1.0 kg. In integrated duck-fish farming system, a fish production of at least 2.3 – 2.8 t per ha can be easily realized. Approximately 1,00,000 eggs and 1250 kg of live weight of meat can be expected from 500 to 600 birds.

BENEFITS OF LIVESTOCK-FISH INTEGRATION: The benefits of livestock-Fish integration system are as follows:

• The livestock excreta act as excellent manure for fish ponds and increase biological productivity of the pond and consequently increase fish production of the stakeholder’s pond.
• Some fishes directly feed on livestock excreta, which contain digestible food for fish.
• No supplementary feed is required for fish culture, which normally accounts for about 60 percent of the total input cost in conventional fish culture.
• The pond dykes provides space for the erection of animal house and hence no additional land is required for erecting animal house.
• The pond water can be used for cleaning the animal house and for bathing the animal.
• Pond silt may be utilize seed as fertilizer for fodder crops, which in turn is used to raise livestock and poultry or as fish feed.
• This system can improve the nutritional security, environmental sustainability and socio-economic status of the rural farming community of India.

In integrated farming system, association of different components of livestock, especially Piggery, Poultry, duck would be more meaningful to utilize the available farm space and boos up the farm income. A farmer who has 0.1 ha of pond and if he practices integrated livestock-fish farming in compositely a net profit of Rs.5000-12000/- approximately can easily be realized from this system in a period of 01 year. The farmers if they possess their own pond and utilize their own human resource, a net profit of more than RS.25,000/- can be  profited by the farmers from the specific integrated farming system.

CONCLUSION
Sustainable development is the successful management and conservation of natural resources and orientation of technological and institutional changes in such a manner as to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generation. Such sustainable development through Animal Husbandry-fishery & allied farming practices through conserving land , water, plant, fish and animal genetic resources  is essential as these resources are environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable and social acceptable. In this context, integrated livestock-fish farming is effective and viable option, as these sectors should not have any deleterious effect on flora-fauna, the ecosystem of land, water, agriculture and other rural socioeconomic activities. The Integrated farming system (IFS) efficiently utilize available food and water resources of the ecosystem, with consequent effects of reducing costs and yielding sustainable productivity. The scientific integrated livestock-fish farming system with low investment is economically sound, ecologically feasible and socially acceptable for climate resilient, healthy ecosystem as well as better productive and sustainable entrepreneurship among farming community in rural India.

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