Rice Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 132-139 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 132 Feature Review Open Access Impact of Rice-Fish Integrated Farming Systems on Rice Yield: Ecological Benefits and Economic Returns Xiaoying Zhu1,2 1 Deqing Xinshi Changlin Family Farm, Deqing, 313201, Zhejiang, China 2 Zhejiang Agronomist College, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 181833674@qq.com Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.3 doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0012 Received: 28 Mar., 2025 Accepted: 10 May, 2025 Published: 26 May, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Zhu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhu X.Y., 2025, Impact of rice-fish integrated farming systems on rice yield: ecological benefits and economic returns, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 16(3): 132-139 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2025.16.0012) Abstract The rice-fish integrated farming system is a composite agricultural model that integrates food production and aquaculture, and has the dual functions of food security and ecological environmental protection. Through case studies and data analysis, this study systematically evaluated the comprehensive impact of this model on rice yield, ecological benefits and economic returns. The study found that the rice-fish system effectively improved soil nutrients, suppressed pests and diseases, reduced pesticide and fertilizer inputs, and enhanced the stability of the field ecosystem without reducing rice yields. At the same time, farming aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, and crabs can bring additional economic income to farmers and achieve a diversified output structure. Typical regional practices further verified the advantages of the rice-fish system in improving resource utilization efficiency and ecological cycle capacity. Rice-fish farming is an effective path to achieve green transformation of agriculture. This study hopes to make an important contribution to the construction of a high-yield, efficient, and eco-friendly modern agricultural system. Keywords Rice-fish integrated farming; Rice yield; Ecological benefits; Economic returns; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Rice-fish integrated farming systems (RFS) have emerged as a promising approach to enhance agricultural sustainability by combining rice cultivation with aquaculture. This method leverages the symbiotic relationship between rice and fish, where fish contribute to pest control and nutrient cycling, thereby improving rice yield and reducing the need for chemical inputs (Hu et al., 2016; Wan et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2023). The development of RFS has been driven by the need to address challenges in agroecology and food security, particularly in regions where traditional farming practices are no longer sustainable due to environmental degradation and resource scarcity (Liu et al., 2022; Fu et al., 2024; Ranjith et al., 2024). The concept of rice-fish integrated farming involves the co-cultivation of rice and aquatic animals, such as fish, in the same paddy field. This system has been practiced traditionally in various parts of Asia and has gained renewed interest due to its ecological and economic benefits. The integration of fish into rice paddies can enhance biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and increase the overall productivity of the farming system (Yassi et al., 2023; Tokpanou et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2024). Recent studies have shown that rice-fish systems can lead to higher rice yields and better pest management compared to conventional rice monoculture systems (Wan et al., 2019; Jewel et al., 2023; Ranjith et al., 2024). Despite the potential benefits, rice-fish integrated farming faces several challenges. These include the need for appropriate field configurations, management of water resources, and balancing the nutrient requirements of both rice and fish (Hu et al., 2016; Fu et al., 2024). Additionally, the variability in environmental conditions and the need for technical knowledge can pose barriers to the widespread adoption of this system (Liu et al., 2022; Jewel et al., 2023). Addressing these challenges is crucial for enhancing food security, particularly in regions where rice is a staple food and a primary source of livelihood (Zhang et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2024).
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