Integrated Rice-Field Pond Systems

Abstract

At the inter-provincial workshop in Prey Veng, organized by the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) under the CGIAR S4I, SAAF, and MFL programs, stakeholders from government, community, and development partners gathered to strengthen district-level food system governance. The presentation on Integrated Rice-Field Pond (RFP) systems highlighted their importance in Cambodia’s rice-growing regions, where one in three households maintain ponds that provide fish harvests averaging 40 kilograms per year. These ponds serve as refuges for fish during dry seasons and pesticide exposure, while also supporting diversified livelihoods. Findings from studies around Boeng Sneh revealed that rice farming remains the dominant livelihood, but RFP systems contribute significantly to household food and income security. Despite challenges such as pond drying, pesticide use, and unsustainable fishing practices, good management approaches; like aquatic plant cultivation, fish shelters, and broodstock retention; demonstrated potential for resilience and productivity.