Impact of fish in enhancing ricefield ecosystems
1994
Nalim, S. (Vector Control Research Station, Jl. Hasanudin 123, P.O. Box 100, Salatiga, Central Java (Indonesia))
A study was conducted in the terraced fields and highly endemic area for malaria in 1979 in Pagak Village, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java [Indonesia], to monitor the economic benefit and impact on malaria disease control of fish. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Poecilia reticulata, a larvivorous fish, were cultured for enhancing farmers' economic benefit and for controlling mosquito larvae. After five years of fish culture in ricefields, malaria cases decreased from 16.49 percent to 0.20 percent. Compared with the control area with DDT spraying twice a year, a prevalence of 2.98 percent in 1979 remained steady at a prevalence of 3.36 percent in 1984. Up to the present, malaria is still absent in Pagak Village. Rice-fish culture has now spread throughout the Banjarnegara Regency. Common carp is distributed and stocked at 9 fish/sq.m. and raised to and sold at fingerling size. Profit derived in 1982 was Rp133,750/ha (US$ 66.80) per season. However, some constraints were encountered in the expansion of rice-field culture in the regency. These were steep slopes and small ricefield plots which erode easily with standing water. Also, rice-field culture is perceived to require special practices, thus making farmers reluctant to adopt it. These, however, have not stopped the local government from continuing its campaign to intensify the practice of rice-fish culture in the regency
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