Sustainable Rice–Fish Farming Systems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The rice–fish farming system is an efficient ecological model with economic, ecological, and social benefits, reduces environmental impacts and optimizes the use of resources. The objective of the research was to explore and analyze scientific publications through a systematic review and meta-analysis related to rice–fish intercropping. A review of publications hosted in the Scopus and PubMed database from January 2000 to April 2025 was conducted. Research articles were selected, excluding review articles, com-mentaries, book chapters, and letters, and only documents published in English were analyzed. The analysis shows that the countries with the highest number of publications were China and Bangladesh, with a proportion of 48% and 24% respectively, followed by Thailand with 10% and Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India with 5% each. The fish species used in rice–fish systems were reported to be Cyprinus carpio (37%), Oreochromis niloticus (29%), Barbonymus gonionotus, Micropterus salmoides and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (8%), Amblypharyngodon mola (5%), and Labeo rohita and Monopterus albus (3%). On average, fish settle in the rice–fish system 27 days after rice planting, with a density of 13,390 fish/ha. Between rice planting and harvesting 132 days pass, obtaining an average yield of 4397 kg of rice/ha and 1383 kg of fish/ha. It is recommended to prioritize integrated research on unstudied fish species, optimal densities, fertilization, culture models, and emerging technologies in rice–fish systems, considering regional variations to improve sustainability, productivity, and food security at a global level.