What is mixed farming ?

Mixed farming is an integrated agricultural system where a farmer combines crop production with the rearing of livestock, such as cattle, sheep, pigs, or poultry, on the same farm [c1][t2]. Unlike mixed cropping, which focuses solely on growing multiple crops simultaneously to reduce risk [c3][t7], mixed farming emphasizes a symbiotic relationship between plants and animals. For instance, livestock provide manure to enhance soil fertility, while crops provide fodder for the animals [c2][t2]. This system is highly prevalent in developed regions like North-western Europe and North America because it diversifies income sources and ensures a more stable economic base for the farmer [c2][t6]. While options 1 and 2 describe cropping patterns like multiple cropping or seasonal rotations, only option 3 captures the essential integration of animal husbandry with cultivation that defines mixed farming [c1][t2].

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Mixed Farming > p. 360
2. [2] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Primary Activities > Mixed Farming > p. 29
3. [3] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.2 Farming System and Cropping Pattern in India > p. 337