The average annual rainfall of eastern India is 1500 mm, out of which 75% is concentrated in the monsoon season (June to September). Therefore, the practice of rainwater storage in the optimal size of the on-farm reservoir (OFR) is a need for rainfed areas so that its storage becomes adequate for rice-fish integration by saving the rice crop from the adverse effects of dry spells in monsoon season and exploring the possibilities of growing a second crop in non-monsoon seasons. A simulation model has been developed to design an optimum size of the OFR under lined and unlined systems. Mathematical model and simulated results verified under the actual field conditions to study the feasibility/economics of the lined OFR. By using probability distribution functions it was found that for rice-fish culture in rainfed ecosystem 10.7 and 14.9% of the rice field area at 2.5 m depth of the OFR (1:1 side slope), is required for lined and unlined systems, respectively. The fish culture techniques, their growth and behavior in the OFR were studied in detail to develop a package of practices for rice-fish farming in the rainfed rice ecosystems of eastern India to improve the socio-economic status of the rural poor.
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