World Aquaculture 63 tion. The most suitable carp species cultured along with rice were common carp, rohu, javapunti, silver carp, catla, calbasu and mrigal. Among the carps cultured with rice in DWR, common carp showed the highest production, followed by javapunti, mrigal, rohu, catla, bata, calbasu and silver carp. In relation to fish with rice culture, carrying capacity is an important factor. It is an essential factor that helps any ecosystem to be balanced with its biotic and abiotic components. In DWR areas, it includes natural fertility along with fertilization and feeding, species combination, stocking rate and stocking size. Another important factor is construction of the trench, which allows fish easy movement within the paddy field. Conclusion DWR cultivation along with traditional fish catch is a common practice in 13 districts of West Bengal, where a considerable area comes under DWR farming during the monsoon period every year. Considering its magnitude the conversion of such vast areas under DWR during monsoon, a little attention is required to utilize them scientifically. After repeated experiments, this area is found to have much potential for production of rice and fish simultaneously at a profitable scale. In the present context, it is must be mentioned here that if 15 percent of the total closed DWR areas are brought under rice-fish culture, the yields of both crops are expected to reach a reasonable level that would satisfy the farmers. Not that the closed DWR area produce only rice and fish, but that the vicinity of those areas are found to be potential sites for simultaneous production of a number of items, including vegetables/pulses by using dykes, harvest of edible molluscs/ crabs, capture of indigenous fish and shrimp, increase of soil fertility and harvest of grass carp. In the Indian context, especially in the West Bengal scenario, when small water bodies are synonymous with livelihood and a considerable area is flooded by a deep water during the monsoon every year, these technologies are believed to be ideal for small-scale farmers for production of rice with fish of high nutritive value. An additional benefit is rural employment generation. Surprisingly, this system of DWR cultivation along with fish was overlooked until 1980 when various researchers put their attention to fish together with rice culture. Successful experiments in DWR area have shown that DWR areas are very profitable. The time has come that these technologies are to be disseminated aggressively to those who have been long awaiting such a practical and potential technology to utilize the huge amount of available fertile water. Notes 1Dept. of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hill, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India, PIN-791112 2Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, P.O. Kausalyaganga, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, PIN-751002. E-mail of corresponding author: pratap_in2001@yahoo.co.uk References Ayyappan, S., N. Sarangi, D. P. Sinhababu, P. C. Das, and J. K. Jena. 2004. Rice-fish farming: An Economic Enterprise for Rural Rice Farmers, In: Proc. Nat. Recent Advances in Rice-based Farming Systems, 17-19 November, 2004, CRRI, Cuttack, India, pp. 190-201. Bhakta, N. P. 1989. In: Proceedings of the seminar on Coastal Zone Management and Sea Level Rise organized by Indian Association of the Advancement of Science, Bangalore, India, 1314 January, 1989. Das, D.N. 1991. Studies on impact of aquatic environment on Deep water rice field with special emphasis on the development of an improved rice-fish culture system, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India. Dutta, S.K. 1981. Cultural practices of deep-water paddy in relation to fish culture. Farming system Integrating Agriculture, Livestock and fish culture, CIFRI, Barrackpore, India. Kar, G., A. Kumar, N. Sahoo, S. Roychoudhury, M. Das, N. Panda, J. K. Roy and A. Das. 2005. Water and Crop Management Strategies in Deep water rice Ecology of Eastern India. Technical Bulletin, WTCER (ICAR), Bhubaneswar, India. Khush, G.S. 1984. Terminology for rice growing environments. Pages 5-10 In Terminology for rich growing environment. International Rice Research Institute, Manila, Philippines. Lightfoot, C., B. A., Costa-Pierce, M. P. Bimbao and C. R. Dela Cruz. 1992a. In C. R. Dela Cruz, C. Lightfoot, B. A., CostaPierce, V. R. Carangal and M. P. Bimbao, editors. Rice Fish Research and Development in Asia. ICLARM Conference Proceedings 24. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila, Philippines. Mukhopadhyay, P.K. D.N. Das and B. Roy. 1989. Deepwater ricefish farming system bulletin published by the project leader, ‘Strengthening Research on Integrated Pest Management for Deepwater Rice Farming System’ of the International Rice Research Institute in India. Project sponsored by Asian Development Bank, Manila. Mukhopadhyay, P.K. D.N. Das and B. Roy. 1992. On farm research in deepwater rice-fish culture in West Bengal, India. Pages 255-272 In C.R. dela Cruz., C. Lightfoot, B.A. CostaPierce, V.R. Carangal and M.P. Bimbno, editors. Rice-fish research and development in Asia. ICLARM Conference Proceedings 24. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila, Philippines. Attention WAS members — Please join us at the annual WAS Business Meeting to be held in conjunction with WORLD AQUACULTURE 2009 in Veracruz, Mexico. The meeting will be held Friday, September 25, 4 to 5 p.m. at Room Olmeca #7 in the World Trade Convention Center.
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