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In terms of yield equivalent to rice, in 1989-90, the total annual yield in FS I
was 13,910 kg/ha and in FS I1 was 11,704. About 51% and 27% higher than the
annual yield of FS I11 (9,213 kg/ha). A similar situation was observed in 1990-91.
The additional yield produced in FS I and FS I1 was contributed by fish production,
particularly in FS I, in which fish culture was practiced three times a year. Fish
cultivation may also have an indirect impact on soil fertility.
Farm income
The adoption of intensive RFFS affected the level of farm income by reducing the
level of inputs (e.g., insecticide, herbicide, TSP, and labor for weeding), increasing
rice yields, and generating additional income from fish culture. The low level of
input use reduced production costs, whereas, the increase in the production of rice
and fish increased gross return and subsequently net income. The incomes of the
three farming system models are presented in Table 8.
Food and nonfood expenditure pattern
Data on food and nonfood expenditure patterns were collected during the first year
of this study (1989-90) using an intensive record-keeping technique. Food and
nonfood expenditure patterns per month and the monthly expenditures on fresh fish
are presented in Tables 9, 10, and 11. The food and nonfood expenditure patterns
were closely related to total income per farm family. On-farm income is one of the
sources of income that determines total income. On-farm income is not only
determined by farming intensity but by land size.
Farmers in FS III per capita expenditure on food (IRP18,877) was the
highest among the three farming system models although they practiced a less
intensive farming system (rice - rice - fallow). About 43.3% (IRP6,484) of the per
capita expenditure on food is allocated to purchase rice, 15.3% (IRP2,893) for dry
fish, and 15.2% (IRP2,877) for vegetables. Similarly, the per capita expenditure on
nonfood items (IRP18,026) by families in FS I11 was also the highest among the
three farming models.
Farming intensity increased per capita food and nonfood expenditures per
month. For example, the average monthly per capita expenditure of the farm
families belonging to FS I (IRP18,179) was higher than that of FS I1 (IRP14,123). A
similar situation was observed in the nonfood expenditure pattern. The average
monthly per capita expenditure on nonfood items in FS I (IRP14,OOl) was higher
than the expenditures by families in FS I1 (IRP10,374). In other words, the
introduction of fish culture in FS I (rice+ fish - rice+ fish - fish) increased the
purchasing power of its farm families in relation to farm families belonging to FS I1
(rice - rice - fish).
In relation to consumption of fresh fish, the average monthly per capita
expenditure of families in FS 1 (IRP1,220) was the highest among the three farming