Rice Field Fish Farming Integrated with Rodent Pest Management in Cambodia

摘要

The effect of integrating rice field fish culture with rodent pest management was examined. The use of rodent pest management was effective for controlling rodent pests as well as containing fish within the rice field while potentially providing a free source of dietary protein (captured rats) to feed fish. The growth of fed (captured rats or dried fish) walking catfish hybrids (Clarias batrachus x Clarias macrocephalus) in the rice field over 3 months was significantly higher (51.5g, 7.8cm) than a treatment of unfed walking catfish hybrids (26.4g, 4.5cm) in the same rice fields. Fish culture was shown to contribute to a farmeru27s income (68,800 Riel) and provided a source of protein for the familyu27s consumption. Both the fed and unfed products were found to be palatable and accepted by a test group with 24% of the test group selecting fed fish and 21% selecting unfed fish as their first choice from 5 fish products. This pilot study and a preliminary survey in Kampong Cham province indicate that this technology will be useful for farmers to improve rodent management practices while supplementing income through fish sale and providing a high protein diet for their families.