Development of Rice Fish Systems (RFS) in the Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar (MYRice-Fish)

Rice and fish are key components of agricultural farming systems and diets across large areas of Asia, as well as parts of Africa. The practice of catching fish from rice fields, or from trap ponds, ditches and wetlands in ricefield landscapes, is thousands of years old and so integrated are these concepts in the culture of the Asian region that many societies combine these two basic elements to describe well-being in their lives. The importance of fish caught from ricefields in farm household nutrition has been well documented (Halwart et.al., 2003), as has the important role played by women and children in small-scale ricefield fisheries (Shams, 2007; FAO RAP, 2003). The term ‘Rice Fish Systems’ (RFS) is used in this proposal to define a rice-based farming system involving fish production, including fish culture as well as wild fish capture options, with diverse interactions with rice farming systems. The practice of integrated rice and fish farming, in many cases evolving from traditional rice-fish systems and practices, is widely recognized as having widespread potential for income, food security and improved nutrition for smallholder farmers and their families in many countries in Asia. In addition to potential economic and nutritional benefits resulting from rice fish culture, research suggests that this integration may be ecologically more sound than rice monoculture. Specifically, ricefields provide various ecosystem services, and productive environments for fish providing them with plankton, periphyton and benthic foods (Mustow 2002). Having fish present in the ricefield can improve soil fertility through increasing the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus (Giap et al. 2005; Dugan et al. 2006) to the rice plant. The feeding behaviour of fish in rice fields is also thought to increase oxidation of the soil and some fish species can play a useful role in controlling weeds and algae that compete for nutrients, in rice pest control, and in influencing patterns of greenhouse gas emissions (Shuwei Liu et al, 2015). Despite these advantages, rice-fish farming systems are not sufficiently well understood or widely promoted, and the wild fish catches within ricefield areas are often unnoticed and undervalued. An earlier review of rice-fish culture (Halwart and Gupta, 2004) for example highlighted the need for more research on rice-fish culture, to understand the barriers to adoption and potential opportunities, and provide a better foundation of knowledge to enable it to become a mainstream practice for rural rice farmers in Asia and Africa.

Rice production covers approximately 8 million ha and involves more than 5 million rural households in Myanmar. Consumption of rice in the country is amongst the highest in the world (GRiSP 2013). A recent study reported that an annual per capita consumption of 155 kg; 133 kg/person in urban areas and 176 kg/person in rural areas (Theingi Myint, unpublished data, July 2016). Agro-ecological zones are diverse and precipitation is high in many areas, with large floodplain areas suitable for rice and fish production alongside the major rivers. To date, Myanmar has not fully exploited opportunities to develop RFS, due mainly to policy and technical constraints. Myanmar Governments of the recent past favoured ‘command and control’ based policies that discouraged farmers from diversification and making production decisions based on market demand; such policies have constrained crop and land use diversity, including the development of RFS in most, but not all, areas of the country (Perry, 2007). Previous national land-use policies (in particular ‘Lanna 39’) strongly supported monoculture rice production and discouraged the development of on-farm ponds and modifications to rice fields that would enhance fish production. Policies for auctioning of leasehold fisheries in the most productive areas to private businessmen also deterred small-scale farmers from trapping back-migrating wild fish in or close to their ricefields, particularly during receding waters at the start of each cool season. A recent policy shift6, however, encourages farmers to diversify farming systems (agriculture, livestock, fishery) as a key component of the poverty reduction and rural development strategies; indeed it is expected that many small-scale farmers and fishers in the country will respond creatively to this new policy direction. This project responds to the opportunities created by this changing policy context and national priorities for agricultural production. WorldFish and IRRI bring strong sectoral knowledge in the fish and rice domains to explore the significant opportunities for RFS in a key agro-ecological zone. The focus of the project is the mid Ayeyarwady delta (see map in Attachment), though the research will offer insights on the potential for RFS development throughout the wider delta and country. The business case for diversification of rice to RFS is strong and is presented in section 5.3.1.

The intended research outcomes of the project are as follows: • Government (MoALI) have better understanding of RFS potential and evidence-based improvement options for policy development and extension. • Prototype RFS are available and being adopted by lead farmers and producer groups within selected areas of the Ayeyarwady delta. • Mapping and modelling has identified promising areas for promoting new domains of RFS practice and its adaptability to climate change. • Private sector engaged at different points in the rice and fish value chains to promote adoption of RFS improvements. • Evidence-based and gender sensitive extension activities are promoting promising RFS improvements • DoF and DoA institutionalise the M&E and learning system developed by the project to measure outputs and guide and influence policy development • Increased profitability and productivity of rice and fish systems are delivering evidence of improved income, nutrition and gender equity in small-scale rice farming households Research impacts of the stakeholders directly involved with the project will include mainly increased household income as a consequence of adopting new RFS farming practices developed by the project at pilot sites and strengthened capacity of project partners and farmers directly involved in project activities. Direct targets are provided in the table below