What is mixed farming ?

Mixed farming is an agricultural system where crop cultivation is integrated with animal husbandry on the same farm unit [t3]. Unlike mixed cropping, which involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same land [c1], mixed farming emphasizes a functional link between crops and livestock [t3]. In this system, equal importance is given to both enterprises; animals such as cattle, sheep, and poultry provide income and manure, while crops provide food and fodder [c4][t8]. This integration allows for natural nutrient cycling, where animal waste fertilizes the soil and crop residues serve as animal feed [t8]. It is widely practiced in developed regions like North-western Europe and North America to diversify income streams and enhance soil fertility through crop rotation and intercropping [c4][t8]. Official classifications like NIC-1998 explicitly define mixed farming as the growing of crops combined with the farming of animals [t1].

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.2 Farming System and Cropping Pattern in India > p. 337
2. [2] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Primary Activities > Mixed Farming > p. 29
3. [3] https://mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/reports_and_publication/statistical_manual/chapter%209.pdf