Literature review

It has been accepted by decision makers across the globe that sustainable development is the only way to promote rational utilization of resources and environmental protection without hampering economic growth. Different countries around the world are promoting sustainable development through sustainable agricultural practices which will help them in addressing socioeconomic as well as environmental issues simultaneously. All over the world, farmers work hard but do not make money. Of course Armenian farmers are not exception. The problem concerns especially to larger farmers because intensive growing of aquaculture is considered as a source of pollution of environment due to the release of organic matter into the rivers bringing to huge payments for environmental impacts. Integrated farming is a system for improving the feasibility of large sized farming systems in comparison to small ones which have very little revenue left after they pay for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, energy, feed, labor payments and etc. In other words it enables the opportunity of using one entrepreneurs waste as an input for another part of system.(1) Since it utilizes wastes as resources, we not only eliminate wastes but we also ensure overall increase in productivity for the whole agricultural systems. (1) The income obtained from fish farming can be increased if the fish production is integrated with some other activity such as crop production which is the main activity in agriculture. It will ensure regular cash flow simultaneously decreasing the environmental impacts (effective waste recycling) and increasing productivity. There are some situations which can be considered as ideal for IFS implementation: Desire of maximizing profits in existing property Desire of reducing environmental impacts (costs) Desire of using not expensive fertilizers

The Goals of this Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) are to: provide a steady and stable income rejuvenation/amelioration of the systems productivity and achieve agro-ecological equilibrium through the reduction in the build-up of pests and diseases, through natural cropping system management and the reduction in the use of chemicals (inorganic fertilizers and pesticides). (1) A realization that multiple use of scarce water resources is essential to stabilize or improve livelihoods is growing (World Resources Institute 1996, FAO 1995, UN 1994, Gleick 1993). Integrated systems are a relatively new approach to aquaculture in the United States and Europe, but have been used for centuries in China. Integrated aquaculture has developed rapidly in poorer countries with large populations such as India, Egypt, and most of southeast Asia. Integrated farming is traditional in Asia, especially in China and is now also applied in Europe and, on a small scale, in Africa and some Latin American countries. (http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/ac155e/ac155e04.htm ) Integrated fish farming systems in Asia have proven to be highly productive, economically viable, and environmentally stable (McMurtry et al. 1997). http://www.academia.edu/3857257/Improving_Water_Use_Efficiency_in_SemiArid_Regions_through_Integrated_Aquaculture_Agriculture