August 10, 2018

Myanmar paddy fields provide an alternative future for aquaculture

Myanmar Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) with the support of Australia's International Agricultural Research Department, has developed an initiative to conduct research for a possible co-relation between paddy fields and fish businesses.

"The goal is to breed fish in the paddy fields. This system issuccessful in the international community as well," U Myint Zin Htoo, deputy director general of the Fisheries Department said to The Myanmar Times.

The Fisheries Department further explained that the waterlogged conditions in the paddy fields enablefish breeding, where the fishes grow simultaneously with the paddy until harvest season.

This solution is ideal for fish breeders who find it hard to obtain land use approvals for fish ponds. Currently, out of the 120,000 acres of land suitable for aquaculture, only half has been approved for use.

Additionally, the penalty for illegal use of land for fish ponds is MMK 1 million (USD$667.7) per acre. These restrictions are imposed because regional and state authorities prioritise land use for rice cultivation instead.

MOALI Minister Dr. Aung Thu reiterated that the paddy-fish pairing system could reap benefits such as creating more jobs among many others, especially since the agricultural sector makes up for one-third of the country's GDP.

On the flipside, U Myint Zin Htoo also spoke about the challenges that come with ensuring the success of the paddy-fish system. In this aspect, the deputy minister suggested that the deep water areas where paddy production is low can be utilised to breed fish. He also clarified that research will be carried out to choose the fish compatibility with the region's weather.

The research will last until 2021 and its continuity will depend on the results.