ENHANCING FISH PRODUCTION IN CAMEROON: INTEGRATED FISH-RICE FARMING VERSUS EARTHEN POND CULTURE IN BUEA, SW CAMEROON  

Integrated fish-rice farming (FRF) is a possible solution to the problem of high costs of fish feeds in aquaculture in Cameroon. For 12 weeks at the University of Buea/ CORAF Integrated research farm, the growth of Clarias gariepinus fish species was investigated in concurrent extensive culture with rice (Oryza sativa, L.) in two rice plots (Rice Plot 1 and Rice Plot 2) and in two earthen ponds (Fish pond1 and Fish pond2). The fish were fed compounded diet at 5% body weight. Physico-chemical water quality parameters were monitored in all the culture sites. Mean fish weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the rice plots (329.21±44.35g) than in the earthen ponds (30.01±2.84g). Apart from low mean dissolved oxygen values in the Rice Plot 1 (3.14±1.19 mg/L) and Rice Plot 2 (2.18±0.23 mg/L), mean values for physico-chemical water quality parameters were within recommended ranges for C. gariepinus growth in the four culture sites. These results show that fish grew faster in the FRF than in conventional earthen ponds. It is therefore recommended as a better practice suitable for adoption by local farmers.