Most indigenous food production systems are dynamic and complex reflecting generations of careful observations of the agro-ecological and sociocultural environment. Harvesting crabs from the bunds of rice fields is one of several food production systems practised by resource-poor people in ricebased farming systems in south India.
Local people possess an in-depth knowledge of the crabs and their ecology.
Crabs in turn contribute significantly to the protein intake of resource-poor households. This article discusses the impact of crab consumption on food expenditure as well as analysing certain sociocultural factors which influence the catching and consumption of crabs. Factors threatening the existence of the rice-crab production system are also enumerated. Finally policy guidelines to conserve the autochthonous rice-crab production system are suggested. Agricultural programmes designed for small-scale farmers in developing countries are conventionally aimed at increasing food production.