Effect of Integrated Rice-Duck Farming on Rice Yield, Farm Productivity, and Rice-Provisioning Ability of Farmers

Abstract

The feasibility of the rice-duck system of rice production, practiced in some East Asian countries, is studied in Bangladesh as a sub-project of the Poverty Elimination Through Rice Research Assistance (PETRRA). The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) implements the sub-project in collaboration with two NGOs, FIVDB and BDS, in the northeastern (greater Sylhet) and southern (Barisal) regions of the country. Each demonstration trial, conducted in the field of the farmers, is treated as a replication. In these trials, the rice-duck system is compared with the methods of growing rice solely, as traditionally practiced by the farmers in Bangladesh. Evaluation of the activities carried out under the PETRRA sub-project shows that the rice-duck system is not only feasible, but also economically rewarding for the farmers. The yield of rice is, on average, 20% higher in the rice-duck system than the traditional rice system (sole rice), thereby ensuring about 50% higher net return and rice-provisioning ability. The ducks in the rice-duck fields control weeds and insects very effectively; as a consequence, labor and pesticide costs for controlling weeds and insects are minimized and the soil health is improved. The ducks provide another source of added income for the farmers. In view of the favorable results obtained in the study, it might be suggested that the rice-duck system be spread throughout the country as an income-generating activity for the resource-poor farmers.

Sistem Pertanian Terpadu Tanaman Padi Dan Bebek Petelur

“…Kombinasi ini memberikan keuntunggan dalam rangka meningkatkan pendapatan petani. Beberapa keuntungan lainnya adalah meningkatnya efisiensi dan produktivitas lahan, menghasilkan diversifikasi produk, menekan gulma, mengurangi hama dan penyakit, memperbaiki kesuburan dan sifat fisik tanah dan menghasilkan sumber nutrisi berupa kotoran ternak itik (Hossain et al 2005).…”

Mitigating food insecurity through mallard duck egg production: The case of a rural community in the Philippines

“…During the off-season, ducks were ranged in the rice field where they could eat palay, insects, weeds, and snails to lessen feed costs without affecting the egg production efficiency of the ducks. Also, ranging ducks in rice fields controls weeds and insects, effectively increasing farmers' income, as stated by Hossain, Sugimoto, Ahmed, and Islam (2005). Alternative feeds such as snails and other locally available materials provide good nutrition for the ducks (Budiari, Pujiawati, Kertawirawan, & Adijaya, 2021).…”

Mallard Detection Using Microphone Arrays Combined with Delay-and-Sum Beamforming for Smart and Remote Rice–Duck Farming

“…Rice-duck farming, a traditional organic farming method, uses hybrid ducks released in a paddy field for weed and pest control [1]. Farmers in northern Japan use mallards because of their utility value as a livestock product [2].…”