Question

Which one of the following is the chief characteristic of 'mixed farming'?
1. Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops
2. Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field
3. Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
4. None of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

The correct answer is the Rearing of animals and the cultivation of crops together.

• Mixed farming is a type of farming that involves both the growing of crops and the raising of livestock.
• The following are the characteristics of mixed farming:
  • Crops are grown and animals are reared on the same farm.
  • When a crop fails or the prices of crops fluctuate the farmers can depend on livestock and vice versa.
  • A portion of the land on the farm is reserved for animal pasture.
  • The farmer gets continuous income either from crops or animal products.
  • The size of the farms is moderate.
  • There is no seasonal unemployment the farmers are busy throughout the year.
  • The residue of the crops is used in the form of fodder for animals.
  • This saves the money of buying separate fodder for animals.
  • The income earned by the farmer is larger compared to conventional farming.
  • The manure from animals is used as a fertilizer for the soil in which crops are grown.
  • Using manure from animals ensures sustained crop production and saves money that would be used to purchase fertilizers.