The perception level on the impact of integrated livestock-fish production systems towards the environmental pollution

Abstract

Abstract The integrated farming activities have become more popular in the last decade. It expects to increase productivity by optimizing the land and minimizing environmental pollution. The study aims to understand the perception level of society towards the environmental pollution of the integrated livestock-fish production system on raising catfish and laying duck (Clarias sp and Anas platyrhynchos). The study was conducted in Desa Balunijuk, Bangka. The questionnaire was used for the data collection technique through a face-to-face interview by following the health protocol of Covid-19. Two stages of data collection were applied: before and after treatment of Probio_Fm. Qualitative descriptive was employed to analyze the data. The respondents were the society who lived nearby the location of the study. A mixture of probiotics was employed on the feed and the catfish pond. The study found that the perception was significantly different between before and after treatment of Probio_Fm particularly on the negative environmental effects such as odor pollutants due to unmanaged animal waste. It occurred at the very beginning of the study during the wet season before the probiotic treatment. Interestingly, during the dry season, the probiotic treatment was regularly applied. The odor pollutant impact decreased even not having a bad odor at all. The waste both absorbed in the sand and was streamed through the drain pipeline. However, most of the respondents were not disturbed due to the odor pollutant surrounding the integrated livestock-fish production system. It articulated that the probiotic treatment worked effectively in unraveling the bacteria so that the pollutant level decreased drastically. The study recommended various solutions to the problems: the draining pipeline should be repaired, the animal feed should use probiotics to achieve optimal use of nutrition, consistent and effective feeding should be applied, and the cleanliness of the duck house should be properly maintained. The monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impact towards the integrated livestock-fish production system should involve relevant stakeholders such as a village government, the management, and society as a whole so that the healthy and environment-friendly integrated fisheries activity can be achieved.