Integrated Dairy Duckweed and Aquaculture Systems for Smallholder Farmers in NW Bangladesh: A Scoping Study

Abstract

The scoping study on the Integrated Dairy–Duckweeds and Aquaculture System (IDAS), conducted in Rangpur and Kurigram districts under the CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Food Systems (SAAF) program, explored the feasibility of linking dairy cattle, duckweed cultivation, pond aquaculture, and fodder production into a closed-loop nutrient cycle. This integrated model addresses three interconnected challenges: high feed costs, underutilized dairy cattle urine, and rising greenhouse gas emissions. In the proposed system, liquid manure from dairy cattle urine fertilize ponds for duckweed cultivation; duckweed serves as a protein-rich feed for fish; and nutrient-rich pond sludge is recycled into fodder plots, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Such integration strengthens household food security, lowers production costs, and contributes to climate-smart aquaculture.