Socio-Economic Contribution Of Integrated Rice-Fish Farming Sysytems For Small Holder Farmers In Erute South, Lira District
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2026-10-02
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Abstract
Integrated Rice-Fish Farming (IRFF) is an ancient agro-ecological practice where fish and rice are cultivated together on the same piece of land, leveraging the symbiotic relationship between the two organisms to enhance overall productivity. The study assessed the socio-economic contribution of Integrated Rice-Fish Farming (IRFF) systems for smallholder farmers in Erute South Constituency, Lira District, Uganda. The specific objectives were to establish the contribution of IRFF systems on diversification of sources of household income and livelihood among smallholder rice farmers; to compare the gender labor requirements associated with IRFF systems and rice monoculture; and to evaluate perceived social risks, constraints, opportunities, and benefits associated with IRFF and rice monoculture practices among smallholder farmers. A mixed-methods research design was used. A structured
questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data from 60 respondents. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics to show variation in
livelihoods, compare variation in labour required among different livelihoods conducted, and find out the main social risks, constraints, opportunities and benefits related to practicing IRFF systems rather than conventional rice farming. . Findings show that IRFF significantly contributes to household income diversification, with all IRFF practitioners (100%) reporting diversified income sources and increased food security. The total annual household income from farming among IRFF practitioners showed marked improvement, with 57.4% earning between 1-3 million UGX,compared to the pre-adoption period where 55% earned below 500,000 UGX. 68.1% of respondents reporting that IRFF has increased women's workload, and 70% indicating that men
primarily manage income from sales. challenges included predation on fish (93.7%), low market prices for fish (87.2%), and lack of technical knowledge (85.1%). 97.9% of IRFF practitioners
would recommend the system to other farmers. Subsidized fish fingerlings, training on rice-fish integration, market integration assistance, low interest loans, extension services support, and
subsidized fish feeds were identified as the primary form of government assistance, constituting 18.9%, 16.2%, 16.21%, 15.02%, 11.86%, 14.23% respectively. Support for water management
infrastructure was not a critical need by the 7.5%.
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Moses,Ogwal .(2026).Socio-Economic Contribution Of Integrated Rice-Fish Farming Sysytems For Small Holder Farmers In Erute South, Lira District. Busitema University.