Modeling Rice-Fish Co-Culture System Interventions for Disease and Poverty Reduction

About the seminar

Rice farming households have a higher prevalence of Schistosomiasis infection. Co-cultures with native fish (Tilapia, African Bonytongue) could reduce infection risk by feeding on algae or snails, intended to control snail populations which are the main host of the parasite causing Schistosomiasis.

Experiments show that there are additional benefits: rice-fish co-culture can substantially augment rice yields and increase farmers' direct income from fish production. On the other hand, as this is a profitability enhancing innovation, there could be rebound effects in terms of expanding rice culture, and therefore labor in water and fertilizer use, and thus infection rates.

We use a micro-model of rice farming households to explore potential changes in input allocation, income, and infection rates.

How to participate

The seminar is open to all.
The seminar will take place online via Zoom