Agriculture has been the backbone of India since Independence with more than 50% of population deriving their livelihood from it presently. Many types of farming are practiced in India depending upon various factors, the primary being the soil types and climate conditions, among others. In this article we will be reading about Mixed Farming in India, its types, characteristics, and advantages in detail.
Mixed Farming is a practice in which multiple farm activities take place in addition to raising crops on a single piece of land. A crop can be grown along with farming activities like livestock rearing, beekeeping, fisheries, etc. The objective is to create as many sources of subsistence as possible. It primarily served domestic consumption initially; now, many countries like Japan and the United States practice it for commercial consumption.
In other words, the growing of crops and raising animals for eggs, meat or milk is termed mixed Farming. For example, the production of wheat or rye and the raising of cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry simultaneously.
Mixed Farming is divided into eight types. Let’s discuss each of them one by one.
In this type of farming, farmers harvest food to fulfil their family needs on small landholdings. The crops raised under this farming are sufficient only for the farmers and their families.
Farmers usually practice this type of Farming for survival and mostly for local requirements leaving little, if any, surplus for trade. For example, A farmer raises wheat, which is only sufficient for the survival of their family.
It is a type of farming in which plots are prepared for vegetation, and cultivation takes place for a few years. After that, the plot is abandoned for a new land until its fertility is stored naturally, and the cultivator moves to another plot.
In simple words, the cultivation keeps shifting to new lands in this type of farming to provide enough time for the used land to regain fertility. In the Northeast part of India, shifting agriculture is also known as “Jhoom Cultivation.”
Plantation agriculture is a type of Farming in which a farmer grows a single crop throughout the year on a large hectare of land. This type of farming requires a substantial number of resources and labour.
In this farming, the raised crops can be managed on the farm only, in local production lines, or in small-scale enterprises. For example, the crops grown in plantation agriculture are sugarcane, tea, coffee, banana, etc.
This type of farming practice is used to produce crops and animals with higher yields per unit of farmland. In this type of farming, a large amount of capital and labour is used, considering the size of the land.
Intensive Farming is also known as traditional Farming, intensive cultivation, or modern Farming.
Dry agriculture or dryland farming refers to the cultivation of crops without the use of water in areas with limited moisture. This agriculture practice is related to those areas illustrated by a cold, wet season followed by a hot, dry season.
Additionally, dry agriculture is linked to the regions that are dry, likely to dry and limited water resources.
Mixed and Multiple Agriculture, commonly known as mixed cropping, is the process of growing two or more crops on similar land in a single season in place of one crop. Intercropping happens when multiple crops develop at the same time.
Multiple cropping and intercropping are connected as the growing process of two crops simultaneously on the same land is multi-cropping, while the development of those two crops in the same season is intercropping.
Crop rotation is the process of growing multiple crops on similar land across a sequence of growing seasons to maintain soil fertility, balance the soil nutrients, and minimise weed pressure.
A short rotation consists of a few crops, whereas a complex rotation includes twelve crops or more than twelve crops.
Terrace cultivation is a type of farming that includes different flat surfaces or platforms that are developed at different places worldwide. This practice consists of integrating the flat surfaces into a slope or side of a mountain. Growing crops vary by level. In case of rain, the supplements do not get washed away; instead, they move down to the lower level.
Mixed Farming is one of the preferred agricultural practices in India. Although, it comes with a couple of limitations also, which are discussed in this section:
Mixed Farming in India is widely practiced in the states of Kerala and Odisha. This type of farming helps minimise the cost of production per unit area, enhancing earnings and reducing farmers’ risk.
Mixed Farming offers high agricultural returns due to its closeness to urban markets, better transportation arrangement, and capability to receive rain. On numerous occasions, the cool, moist summers and moderately moist winters encourage the growth of grasses and hay crops. It means cattle will graze on these grasslands, which are always green and fresh.
So, we have discussed everything about mixed farming in India. We hope you get all the details regarding mixed Farming, its characteristics, types of mixed Farming, benefits, advantages, and disadvantages, etc. To learn more about mixed farming, stay tuned with Tractorkarvan.