Isda't-Gabi culture: A practical way to earn extra money from your backyard

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines —The chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and aquatic Resources (BFAR) here is encouraging fish farmers to adopt the Isda’t Gabi (Fish and Taro) Culture, an agro-aqua integrated farming technology found to be technically practical and profitable for household-backyard food production. 

Dr. Westly Rosario, BFAR-National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center chief in this city, said they are implementing this project in Sto. Tomas, La Union and in the BFAR compound in Bgy. Bonuan Binloc here.

Gabi-fish culture can provide a net profit of about P362,000 per hectare in five months, Rosario said. He said the integrated culture of isda and gabi results in increased soil fertility, reduction of weeding cost and optimization of soil use and farm space. 

He said there are fish species that are suitable for farming together with gabi like tilapia, African catfish (locally known as hito) and freshwater prawn (or ulang to local folks).

Sites intended for isda’t gabi culture project must meet the following criteria: soil with high percentage of clay is preferred and old rice paddies or earthen ponds can be used; quality and quantity of water supply which must be free of pesticides or chemicals that would kill fish. 

Rosario said wells and springs are excellent sources and water from communal irrigation canals/reservoirs and rivers can also be used. He also emphasized accessibility to the source of inputs wherein application of organic fertilizers is vital to support the growth of both isda and gabi as well as accessibility to the market which emphasized on harvesting on time to maximize profit.

Rosario said gabi can be planted in rows or plots or along the peripheral dike. The preparation of the paddy for isda’t-gabi culture is similar to that of a lowland rice paddy.

Small corms and suckers growing from the sides of mother plants are normally used as planting materials. They must be planted as soon as they are detached from the mother plant.

Stocking of fish particularly tilapia nilotica is recommended for species for gabi-fish culture. Fingerlings weighing six to 10 grams are stocked at the rate of 10,000 to 20,000 per hectare when the leaves of the planted gabi start to open or when the plant can withstand deeper water of about 10 centimeters.

The fish are harvested after five months. The paddy is drained and the fish are either handpicked or caught with a scoop net.

The harvest of gabi can start after five months. Maturity is signaled by a decline in the height of the plants and the general yellowing of the leaves. Total harvest of gabi and fish is recommended after a year to ensure better harvest in the next cropping period.