https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Arunachal’s 3-in-1 Farming Model Shows How to Make the Most of Resources At Hand

Changlang district in Arunachal has started an interesting farming initiative Adding ducks to traditional method of paddy cum fish farming is benefiting farmers Benefits range from more income to saving water and providing much needed protein to the villagers
Indian Masterminds Stories

Growing two crops together is a common farming method. But, not combining crop, duck and fish farming – all three together. However, this is now becoming a common practice in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Under the leadership of DC Changlang, 2018 batch IAS officer Sunny K Singh, the administration introduced ‘Paddy cum Fish cum Duck culture’ in many villages in the Vijaynagar circle. This pilot project is gaining huge popularity and is being implemented in a successful way.

Although farmers in Ziro Valley were already doing ‘wet rice cultivation’ with ‘fish farming’, the Changlang administration added duck farming to it, making Changlang the first district to introduce duck farming in the paddy cum fish culture. Ten farmers are doing this ‘three in one’ farming and the administration is lending every possible help to them, from training to providing seedling, and exposure visit to Ziro Valley for learning more skills.

Indian Masterminds interacted with the AGMUT cadre officer and District Collector of Changlang, Mr. Sunny K. Singh, to know about this initiative in detail.

IAS Sunny K Singh

PADDY, FISH & DUCK FARMING

In the valley regions of Arunachal Pradesh, agricultural fields are often interconnected for water linkages. Farmers do the wet rice cultivation, which is the most prevalent method of farming in the Northeast.

The 3-in-1 project was started in June this year, whereby, along with planting of paddy crops, fish and duck farming were also started. The harvesting will take place towards November last. Ten farmers are doing this in each hectare of their farm which has a total area of 10 hectares.

Mr. Singh, however, said that integrating duck was their only addition to the prevalent practice. Fish cum paddy culture was being practiced in the Lower Subansiri district of Ziro Valley since a long time. “We are replicating the same with our own innovative methods,” the officer said.

INNOVATION

The hilly topography of the area is such that one field is located above the other. Due to gravity, water keeps moving down from one field to the other through channels. Farmers were doing both paddy and fish farming in these fields.

Changlang administration also introduced duck farming to it. Now, ducks live in the flowing channels, moving from one field to another. The ducks are added when the fish grow in size so that the ducks cannot eat them.

While adding the fish, the farmers slightly increase the size of the ridges too, so that they cannot jump out. And to stop the birds from preying on them, small tunnels are also made, so that the fish can go inside those tunnels to save themselves. This is how the entire system works.

Mr. Singh said, “The special thing is that the fish feed on the paddy crop roots. Usually, there are many insects in the roots which sometimes cause harm to the crop, and by eating the insects, the fish benefit the crop, too.”

WATER CHANNELS

The water resources department (WRD) taps the streams from the mountains and makes channels to transport the water to the fields. To tackle the excess water, the channels are interconnected, so that the water keeps flowing non-stop till it is diverted through the outlets in the field and taken into the river.

FACILITIES

The state government has appointed a young fishery officer to help the farmers, and the pilot project was implemented under his supervision. An exposure trip will also be conducted for the farmers to ensure proper farming and harvesting.

HARVESTING

The project has been designed in such a way that the paddy crop and the fish will be ready for harvesting around the same time. Hence, harvesting of both crops and fish will take place simultaneously. Mr. Singh said, “After harvesting the paddy, we will stop the channels through which water come and let the fields dry out so that the fish can also be harvested easily.”

BENEFITS

This method is generating additional income for the farmers, while reducing the cost of paddy crop. It is also helping in water conservation.

Another benefit which Mr. Singh pointed out is that the fish and ducks are an easy source of protein for the common man.

The initiative is being implemented in many villages in the Vijaynagar circle, which is a remote area and often gets disconnected from the district due to landslides during the rainy season. At such times, this project will be very beneficial for the people as they will continue getting protein from the duckeries and fisheries in the paddy crop fields.

“This is a hilly area where there are no regular ponds. Farming takes place in whatever plain area that is available. Therefore, there are no special means for fish or duck farming. Hence, this 3-in-1 farming model will help fulfill the protein requirement of the local people,” the officer said in conclusion.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
grse mou
GRSE Signs Strategic MoU to Boost Indigenous Development of Advanced Naval Navigation Systems
Mazagon_Dock_Shipbuilders_Ltd_Organizes_Diwali_Mela_
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) Hosts Diwali Mela to Boost Vigilance Awareness and Empower Rural Self-Help Groups
NALCO_MOU_
NALCO Foundation Signs MoU to Boost Skill Development and Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Youth
Concor
Dividend Alert: CONCOR to Announce Q2 FY26 Financial Results and Second Interim Dividend on November 11
ircon and coal india
Coal India Partners with IRCON to Strengthen Rail Network for Seamless Coal Transportation
BEML_Joins_SCOPE_GIZ_Initiative
BEML Showcases Green Leadership at SCOPE-GIZ LeadIT Workshop on Industrial Decarbonisation
World Habitat Day 2025
World Habitat Day 2025: HUDCO's 30-Year Legacy Empowers Underprivileged Children Through Art
BEL and IREDA
BEL and IREDA Set to Announce Q2 FY26 Results in October; Investors Await Key Growth Updates
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
grse mou
GRSE Signs Strategic MoU to Boost Indigenous Development of Advanced Naval Navigation Systems
Mazagon_Dock_Shipbuilders_Ltd_Organizes_Diwali_Mela_
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) Hosts Diwali Mela to Boost Vigilance Awareness and Empower Rural Self-Help Groups
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT