Introducing fish into rice fields may reduce schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease affecting over 220 million people. This method, known as rice-fish co-culturing, also increases food production. The findings were published in *Nature Sustainability*.
Schistosomiasis is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasitic worms that cause the disease are spread by freshwater snails in standing water. Rice farmers and their families are particularly vulnerable to infection. Current drug treatments do not prevent reinfection.
Researchers studied over 400 households in rural Senegal. Children of rice farmers showed a higher disease prevalence. The research team introduced two native fish species, African Bonytongue and Nile tilapia, into rice fields. These fish naturally control snail populations by eating them or competing for resources.
Two trials showed that both fish species thrived without active feeding. Fields with both fish species had fewer snails that host the parasite. This reduction in snails could lower infection risks for farmers and their families. The intervention also increased rice yields by more than 25 percent. Soil nutrients in the rice fields improved. The harvested fish provided a potential secondary income source.
Emily Selland, the lead author, noted the multidisciplinary solution addresses both health and community development. Jason Rohr, a corresponding author, highlighted the potential for "win-win-win solutions." He stated that this approach could simultaneously improve human health, increase food production, and protect the environment. The initial results are encouraging, and further research is underway to scale this approach in other rice-growing regions.