Credit: Hannibal M. Chavez (Philippines)
In this integrated system, 10% of the area is allocated for the culture of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii while 90% of the area is used for rice paddies. In this system, prawn ponds are located on the upper part beside the rice area. Water coming out from the prawn pond loaded with nutrients, uneaten feeds and feces will serve as an organic fertilizer to rice. The average production of marketable size prawn is about 40 kg/1000-m2 pond while rice production is about 420 kg. In this environmentally friendly farming practice, the use of pesticides and insecticides on rice is discouraged. The adoption of this technology generates some social benefits in the community.
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