Success Stories In Asian Aquaculture - Library - Network of ...

34 M. Weiminlonger permitted to be converted into fish ponds. Development of rice-fish cultureis, therefore, one of the few options for further expansion of aquaculture in China.Through the rice–fish integration, particularly the concurrent farming system, utilizationof land resources is maximized.2.10 Key Factors Contributing to the Successof Rice-fish CultureIn the past three decades, rice-fish culture has witnessed fast development and createdsignificant socioeconomic benefits in China. Many factors have contributed tothis development. The followings are among the most important ones.2.10.1 Cultural and Socioeconomic BasisCultural and socioeconomic factors associated with rice cultivation and fish farmingare important aspects to be considered in rice-fish culture. China has a longhistory of both rice cultivation and fish culture. Lands producing both rice andfish were considered as a paradise on the earth in the ancient times. Even in thepresent day, both rice and fish remain as important food items to ordinary Chinesepeople. China has a vast area under rice cultivation which is suitable for rice-fishculture, and there are abundant low cost manpower resources in rural areas. Themarket demand for fish products is increasing with the improvement of people’sliving standards. All these form solid cultural and socioeconomic basis for developmentof rice field fish culture in China.2.10.2 Changing Social and Economic EnvironmentDevelopment of production sectors is generally related to the social and economicenvironmental changes, which often raise new requirements/demands for changesin production sectors. During the past three decades, China has passed through anumber of important development stages. The social needs in each developmentstage have positively stimulated development of rice–fish culture in China.China started its economic reforms in early 1980s. The government’s priority atthat time was to boost the production of major food products, particularly animalfood products, to meet the increasing demand. Fish products are among the mostimportant animal foods of traditional significance in China and fish supply fromcapture fisheries encountered a stagnant production commencing in the early1980s. Rice–fish culture production system was promoted by the government as animportant means to increase fish production, especially for increasing the supply of