Status of Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture (IAA) Systems in Northeast Thailand: Nong Khai Province

Abstract

In 2007, farm surveys and interviews were conducted in Muang District, Nong Khai Province, Thailand, aimed at finding out the current management practices of small-scale IAA-systems. Thirty-three farms consisting of 66 fish ponds were selected for data collection. Results indicated that the IAA-systems in this area involve smallholding farms which are based on locally available pond inputs. Farm areas range from 1.6 to 3.2 ha, with 2 to 5 ponds per farm. The average area of each pond is 0.32 ha. The water supply for fish farms mainly comes from irrigated water from the Mekong River, as well as from reservoirs and rain. The major groups of fish cultured in these systems are Nile tilapia, Thai silver barb and carps, such as Chinese and Indian major carps. Layer chicken is the main livestock integrated with fish culture. Water from fish ponds are often used for crops.