For centuries, traditional agricultural systems have
contributed to food and livelihood security throughout the world.
Recognizing the ecological legacy in the traditional agricultural
systems may help us develop novel sustainable agriculture. In order to
meet the rising demands for food and nutrition of the over-increasing
populations, there is an urgent need nowadays to increase rice and fish
production in Bangladesh. Despite there have been higher potential for
rice-fish integration in Bangladesh, it has been adopted by
comparatively few farmers due to various socioeconomic,
environmental, technological and institutional constraints. Even
though, integrated rice-fish farming is the best farming practice in
terms of resource utilization, diversity, productivity, production
efficiency and food supply. In spite of this, a small proportion of
farmers are involved in integrated rice-fish farming. However, from
their findings, it has been documented that rice-fish farming is a viable
option towards an efficient farm production compared to the rice
monoculture practice and that integrated performs better in terms of
cost and technical efficiency, and benefits. Thus, integrated rice-fish
farming can help Bangladesh keep pace with the current demand for
food through the production of sufficient rice and fish by efficient
resource utilization and proper management. However, the lack of
technical knowledge of farmers, high production costs and risks
associated with flood and drought, are inhibiting the widespread
adoption of this practice throughout the country in a sustainable and
significant manner.