Aquaculture in developing countries can improve the sustainability of small-scale farms provided that it is fully integrated with other enterprises and household activities so as to allow farm families and communities to manage their natural resources effectively. This requires the consideration of pond management and fish husbandry as means to a variety of ends (water storage, soil conservation and fertility, integrated pest management, etc.), not just production of fish. This paper discusses the evolution of this broad Integrated Resources Management (IRM) approach, principally with reference to the Inland Aquatic Resources Systems Program of ICLARM, and gives some examples of relevant activities in tropical developing countries, research methods and future challenges.

This chapter takes up the issues identified in the earlier parts of the book and builds a prognosis for the future of farming systems research (FSR). Sections discuss: the FSR process; milestones in concepts and practice from 1970; the scope of FSR; the issue of poor FSR performance; participation and FSR; FSR and the research and development process; contemporary best practice; FSR organization; the context for the future application of FSR; country characteristics and the place of FSR in R&D; enabling trends and potential barriers; future impact; and promotional strategies.

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SUMMARYThe comparative stability of sorghum–cowpea intercropping and monocropping was assessed by determination of variances, regression against an environmental index, and probability of failure to achieve minimum levels of gross income. Significant differences between the cropping systems were not detected in any of the assessments though intercropping did have a lower probability of failure at the income levels for which risk was more than minimal. The failure of intercropping to show clearly greater stability in this study in which the environmental conditions were harsh provides a conflict with the conventional view.

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