An evaluation of the benefits of rice and rice-fish culture with and without integrated pest management in Kirivong District, Takaev Province, Cambodia | |
| Author | Te Rithy |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-07-28 |
| Subject(s) | Fish culture--Evaluation--Cambodia Takaev Rice Planting--Evaluation--Cambodia--Takaev |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-07-28 |
| Abstract | Takaev province is one of the most productive rice producing provinces in Southern Cambodia. Rice yields from wet and dry season have provided rice for food consumption and export. Rice and fish are the main sources contributing to farmers livelihoods. Increased net income is very important aim for farmers in Takaev province. Farmers apply agriculture chemical, such as fertilizer and pesticides to increase their yields. In this study a survey was conducted in four villages of two communes in Kirivong district. This study is a survey of agriculture practices and pest management strategies among rice and rice-fish farmers in Takaev province in the Mekong Delta of Cambodia. It focuse on four groups of farmer households: (1) Rice farming with an unrestricted pesticides use (non IPM rice farmers); (2). Rice-fish farming with a unrestricted pesticides use (non IPM rice-fish farmers); (3). Rice-fish farming with a restricted use of pesticides (IPM rice-fish farmers); and (4) Rice farming with a restricted use of pesticides (1PM rice farmers). Farmers applied two main pesticides to kill insects and destroy grass in rice field, those are Visher 25ND and Anco 720DD. Chemical fertilizers have been applied (100%) of rice and rice-fish farmers. The majority (93%) of the farmers have learned how to use pesticides from other farmers or pesticides seller. Some of these have very poor knowledge of the use and properties of pesticides and widespread gaps in the knowledge of farmers and unfavorable attitudes of farmers toward natural methods of pest management have probably continued to encourage pesticide use and misuse. About 70% of RFIPM farmers and 69% of RIPM farmers pointed out the adverse effect of use of pesticide on environment. The number 77% of R farmers and 78% of RF farmers reported about uncomfortable feeling with pesticide. Based on economic comparison between different farmers categories (as mentioned above), it is argued that rice-fish farming provides a sustainable alternative to rice monoculture, if the farmers takes full advantage of natural productivities of the rice field ecosystems. The aim should be to reduce the resource use, avoid overuse of pesticide that harm to the environment. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies should thus adopted as a necessary complement to fish farming practices. The result shows that IPM rice-fish farmers have the highest net income in a median (1066587Riel approximately 267USD per crop ha - ¹), due to comparatively low costs and high yields of both rice and fish. Also Non-IPM rice-fish farmers have a high net income (1032150Riel approximately 258USD per crop ha - ¹) due to high yields of both rice and fish, both similar to each other. IPM rice farmers have a net income of 743785Riel or approximately 186USD per crop ha - ¹) higher than non-IPM rice farmers have net income 580825Riel approximately 145USD per crop ha - ¹. The productions cost of IPM rice farmers spent higher on labour, but their rice yield is higher than that of non-IPM rice farmers. In conclusion, IPM assisted rice and rice-fish farmers have improved their living standard in study areas. |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-07-28 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne;Berg, Carl Erik Hakan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Bhujel, Ram C. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Sweden (Sida) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |