Boro farming in fish enclosure profits Satkhira farmers

Farmers are expanding boro paddy cultivation in fish enclosures in Satkhira in hopes of more profit.

Ignoring the bone-chilling cold and dense fog, farmers are busy planting boro paddy seedlings in fish enclosures. Following last year's good yield, farmers expect to make a good profit this season.

There are numerous enclosures in the seven upazilas of Satkhira in addition to the surrounding areas outside the district where ruhi, katla and mrigal carp fish are farmed.

During monsoon, these species also known as white fish are cultivated in the enclosures. However, in November and December, the fish are removed and boro paddy is planted.

Farmers said paddy planted in fish enclosures yields twice as high than on any other farmland. This results in low production costs and a high-profit margin for the farmers.

In the last few years, more farmers have been inclined towards cultivating boro paddy in fish enclosures. Some have taken to integrated paddy and vegetable cultivation in submerged lands.

Through the integrated cultivation of boro rice and vegetables in the fish enclosure, the marginal farmers are getting financial benefits besides meeting their family's nutritional needs.

Rahul Hossain of Assasuni upazila said he is cultivating paddy alongside fish farming on 3 bighas of land. “Last year I got 27 maunds of paddy per bigha and the price was good too. I expect a bumper yield this year too.” Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Satkhira sources said boro paddy is being cultivated on 80,000 hectares of land in the district. On 300 acres in Tala upazila hybrid Tej Gold boro variety is being cultivated using the synchronised farming method.

Synchronised cultivation combines the fields of several farmers at once to sow the same variety of paddy using a machine in a single huge block field.

Oliur Rahman, senior scientific officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Satkhira said the decomposition of the plant residues produces organic matter and compounds like nitrogen and phosphorus which play a role in natural food production in the fish enclosure.

“Remains of fish food and excrement accumulate at the bottom enriching the soil. Cultivating rice or vegetables in the rich soil of fish enclosures lessens the need for fertiliser and increases the production,” he said.

Oliur further said that along with the fisheries sub-sector, boro cultivation has become very important and viable for the economic development of the agricultural coastal district of Satkhira.

“Rice cultivation in coastal areas has risks due to weather patterns, incompatible soil conditions and water salinity levels. Cultivation of salinity tolerant varieties, changing the sowing time and using fresh water for irrigation are some of the ways to increase paddy farming in the area,” he went on to say.

Satkhira DAE Deputy Director Nurul Islam said boro paddy cultivation is expected to exceed the target in the district this season.

“A climate risk map has been prepared in each upazila and an integrated plan has been adopted for all issues including agriculture, food and infrastructure. Our department is working to increase boro plantations in fish enclosures,” he said.