How Does Mixed Farming Help Modern Agriculture? The Pros, Cons & More!

Have you ever heard of the term “mixed farming”?

It sounds like the mix-cultivation of a number of crops, right?

However, it is a popular type of cultivation that involves growing crops and raising livestock at the same time. It is basically done on the same piece of land. 

In this article, we will learn about mixed farming in detail. Also, we will get deeper into the benefits, why this is so popular, and the drawbacks, etc. 

What is Mixed Farming?

Mixed farming is very common throughout the world when it comes to agribusiness.  It involves a lot of research, knowledge, and of course, specialized farming techniques. 

In mixed farming, farmers cultivate crops while rearing livestock for meat and other animal-derived products. In this case, farmers need to invest their time, energy, resources, and attention to multiple activities at the same time. 

Mixed farming can take various forms based on internal and external factors. Weather changes, market prices, technology, and political stability, are some of the external factors that might affect mixed farming. Also, the internal factors that can have some impacts on mixed farming include local soil, its health, the farmers’ knowledge, etc. 

Farmers often cultivate crops like millet, sorghum, and cowpea which are usually with different lifecycles. This way, they can utilize the space efficiently and boost soil health without involving a greater risk of crop failure.

The Popularity of Mixed Farming

Farmers opt for mixed farming when they want to utilize their resources at their best. The process of mixed farming might involve crop rotation & less use of chemical fertilizers. 

A mixed farm might grow cereal crops like wheat, and rye, and the farmers might rear animals like cattle, goats, sheep, etc. They can also have poultry or raise pigs for meat consumption. 

The natural resources are better utilized in mixed farming. Because the animal’s manure can fertilize the crops. Also, the grasses can be a good natural feed for the livestock. Horses are raised for haulage. However, in some cases, the farmers do not slaughter cattle. They castrate them and use them as alternatives for haulage. 

In one word, mixed farming is all about “profitability.” The farmers aim to increase their marginal profit associated with farming while managing the environmental damages effectively. 

The History of Mixed Farming

Mixed farming is not just a particular type of farming technique. It is a farm management system. It involves the production of different types of crops for the purpose of selling. Also, at the same time, the farmers raise animals for meat and dairy consumption. 

So, primitive people started domesticating animals for their own consumption around 10,000 BC. However, farming and the definition of cultivation were not so popular at that time.

Later, stable manure became widely available in the Middle Ages. The idea of mixed farming and crop cultivation started with the concept of crop rotation for three years. Gradually, people developed agricultural lands and started to raise livestock simultaneously.

Mixed farming is a crucial part of agroecology, in today’s world. It refers to a modern and virtuous farming method that maintains the ecological balance. Because it returns what it takes from the nature. It is quite a sustainable farming practice and hence highly popular. 

The Right Location for Mixed Farming:

Mixed farming can be done if you have access to larger lands. Pastoralists can opt for mixed farming. It depends primarily on feed and husbandry management. Where there are individual farms as well as service systems available, it can be an ideal ground for mixed farming. 

Mixed farming was initially practiced in Japan and the United States. However, it is prevalent in Asian countries like Malaysia, India, China, South Africa, Afghanistan, Indonesia, etc. Some European countries like Central Europe, Canada, Nordic countries, and Russia also practice mixed farming. 

4 Examples of Mixed Farming

Examples of mixed farming might include a lot of scenarios. Here, we will discuss the four best examples of mixed farming techniques. Let’s get deeper into it.

Crop cultivation & raising livestock: This is the basic form of mixed farming.  The farmers grow crops and raise livestock at the same time for the consumption of milk, eggs, and meat. The best example will be a land where the farmers grow rye or wheat and raise sheep, goats, etc. The dung of the animals will fertilize the soil and it will grow crops faster.

Mixed cropping: In this form of mixed farming, farmers grow two or three crops in the same field. Some examples include cultivating wheat and crops like gram or mustard and wheat or sunflower and groundnut. All these crops are plan fully cultivated which involves the idea of crop rotation to boost soil health. 

Intercropping: In this case, more than one or two crops are cultivated in the same field. Intercropping is good for retaining the soil fertility. It produces more crops while limiting the use of chemicals and other natural farming resources. It controls weed growth naturally and maintains the biological balance. Intercropping is a good way to increase marginal profit and also, it is good for better land usage. 

Organic farming: Organic farming technique combines organic crop production and animal raising. It is a great way for natural resource management and utilization. 

7 Characteristics of Mixed Farming

Mixed farming has a lot of special characteristics. Let’s discuss them one by one so that you can have a better initial idea about them. 

Integrating Crops & Livestock Farming: The biggest differentiating factor of mixed farming is that it grows crops and raises livestock at the same time. These are done in the same field. 

Intercropping: Intercropping is often seen in mixed farming. Farmers grow more than two crops together in the same piece of land at the same time. 

Crop Rotation: It is the method of cultivating different types of crops in the same land. Each year, different crops are planted following a definite rotational method. The crops are particularly functional in replenishing the vital nutrients of the soil. This way, the soil will regain its lost nutritional value. 

Increased Crop Production: Mixed farming is highly beneficial when it comes to better crop yield. It uses different methods to boost soil health and crop yield. Mixed farmers use crop residues to feed animals. It works as a natural feed for them. Also, the manure works the best as organic fertilizers.  The livestock also naturally help the grass beneath fruit trees shorter by consuming them. Also, the manure of pigs works best as feed for fish. 

Sustainable Practices: Mixed farming techniques focus on the betterment of the environment. The farming procedures involved in mixed farming do not negatively affect the environment. Rather, it maintains the ecological balance. 

Better Pest Control: the cultivation of more than two crops in the same field together reduces the chances of insect or pest infestation naturally. It increases the ecological diversity. Also, some of the cultivated crops can naturally control pest attacks by attracting natural enemies that feed on the pest. 

Also, the rotational plantation of numerous crops does not make the pests used to a specific plant species. That is why, the cultivation of various crops is highly important. Farmers sometimes plant trap crops to divert the attention of the pests from the main crops. There are some insects that can aid in better pest control naturally without doing any harm to the crops. 

Improved Soil Health: Mixed farming is great for improving soil fertility. Some crops are cultivated together to boost crop growth like wheat and peas. 

Production of grasses: The livestock feed on grass. However, their manure enhances soil fertility which leads to better crop yield. Grass production is very important in mixed farming since it occupies approximately 20% of the cultivable land. 

A Few Use Cases of Mixed Farming:

In this section, we will be looking into some of the common as well as difficult mixed farming use cases. Farmers practice different techniques depending on the resources, market demands, etc. Let’s have a look at these.

Mixed Farming with Cattle, Goats & Sheep: 

This is the most common type of mixed farming. It involves the farming of maize and other types of fodder crops that can be fed to cattle or beef. Farmers may also cultivate protein crops like beans, and soya that provide the livestock with protein requirements. It also boosts the nitrogen level in the soil. 

The manure produced by the animals increases soil fertility. Sometimes, cereals are also grown to feed the livestock like barley. The animals can also feed on grasslands. It can save the costs of feed production and the livestock will be naturally habituated to the nature of the soil. 

Mixed Farming with Cattle & Poultry: 

This is an all-inclusive approach to mixed farming. Farmers raise cattle and hens in the same farming land. At regular intervals, the farmers introduce the poultry animals like hens to the plot. They feed on the pasture, and soil and also feed on the insects and parasites of the animal droppings. This results in reduced parasite pressure for cattle and the hens get enough nutrients naturally. 

However, there must be fences to prevent the hens from escaping. This is a highly popular and cost-efficient technique of mixed farming. 

The Trend of Poultry & Viticulture: 

In this case, the poultry animals roam around the vineyard throughout the year. The hens can collect their feed from the vineyard. A large part of it as feed is covered usually within five to six months. 

The hens can feed on nutrient-rich organisms like snails, insects, slugs, and also grasses. Sometimes, farmers also cultivate fodder peas that the poultry animals can feed on. They roam around freely without damaging the vineyard like sheep. 

The need for disease and pest control is much lower with vineyards. Farmers do not spend much on plant treatments. Also, their manure fertilizes the soil extremely well. They often earn from multiple resources by selling eggs, meat, livestock, etc.  

However, the poultry animals must be protected from wild animal species. The farmers should make sure that they are in a safer environment and within fences. 

The Popularity of Mixed Farming & Market Gardening, Poultry Farming

The idea is a modern agribusiness idea. It involves a lot of scopes for research and innovation. Farmers have been planning to set up a market garden and a poultry farm for quite some time. 

The plan is to grow certain vegetables on the permanent bed. They plan to grow them in photovoltaic greenhouses. It is a solar greenhouse system with photovoltaic panels. These panels are installed on the roof to generate electricity. The system is functional in the production of electricity and crop production. 

The poultry system can be further improved by the shading and wind protection system provided by the photovoltaic greenhouse systems. To solve the issue of overgrazing, the poultry houses are mobile in nature. It also fosters better management of market gardening through a rotational farming system. 

Different Forms of Mixed Farming

Depending on the size of farmlands, crops and animals produced, market demands, and geographical factors, mixed farming can be of various types. Here are the three major forms of mixed farming.

On-Farm Vs. Between-Farm Mixing: 

On-farm mixing denotes mixed cultivation of different crops. Between-farm mixing involves exchanging the farming resources between the different farming periods. 

On-farm mixing helps farmers to recycle the essential farming resources that they have on their own lands. Between-farm mixing can be seen in the Netherlands where the farmers want to reduce the waste disposal issue. It is also prevalent in the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Crop farmers invest in animal manure or dung to produce crops. It involves a good transport system and communication between politicians and farmers. In tropical countries, livestock farmers transport manure to crop farming lands where it is scarce.

Pastoralists in India and West Africa exchange crop products and cattle with crop producers. The crop farmers receive manure and milk in exchange for grains, water rights, and cash. Also, herders often earn money in return for raising them.  Sometimes, they get croplands, human labour, or a share of offspring and milk. 

However, this kind of product exchange might lead to social and communal tensions and accidents. In countries like West Africa, the situation might get worse as the number of grazing lands is reducing fast. However, the dependence on natural feed like crop residue is getting higher.

Mixing within Crops and Animal Systems: 

It involves multiple crop production over time. Also, different types of livestock are raised here. The farmers practice crop rotation. They often practice grain or legume rotation. It provides the soil with the essential nitrogen.

Sometimes the farmers go for potato–beat-grain rotation. It is a definite crop plantation method that reduces the chances of potato disease. Sometimes, the plants are intercropped to use the light and moisture to their best. 

It is a natural process to control weeds or loss of nutrients by planting catch crops. Examples of animal mixing can be seen in chicken-fish ponds or hydroponics. In this case, the chicken dung efficiently fertilizes the fish pond. In the beef-pork farming system, pigs consume the undigested particles of dung produced by beef or cattle. 

Also, the mixing of cwo-sheep livestock can help maximize biomass absorption and reduce the chances of plant diseases. 

Diversified Vs. Integrated Systems

The diversified farming system produces crops and raises livestock that are interdependent for existence or growth. High External Input Agriculture farmers often raise pigs and cattle while growing crops that can be fed to them. This type of farming lessens the chances of crop failure and loss. 

Integration of recyclable resources is a crucial part of agriculture in mixed ecological farms. This is prevalent in tropical countries where the temperature is higher. It is also known as New Conservation Agriculture. 

However, countries where farmers practice low-input farming methods can also find the utility of an integrated farming system. It is seen in Southern and South Western Australia. However, the system might get complicated due to the mixing of resources.

In Asian countries, the integration of crops and fish is a sustainable farming practice. In China, the integration system of fish ponds and raising livestock has increased the production of fish almost 2 to 4 times. The integration system works best where the livestock manure can be utilized directly for maximizing the production of crops. 

In countries like Malaysia and Southeast Asia, the integration of livestock can be seen with palm brunch harvesting and rubber or palm plantations. It is highly beneficial for controlling weeds naturally. In Colombia, this type of integration can be found in sugar cane fields. This reduces the cost of artificial herbicides and pesticides.

The famous type of integrated farming is a mixed system of crop production and livestock raising. Cropping supplies the need for fodder from pasture grasses. Nitrogen-binding crops or legumes improve soil health. 

Also, animals grazing under big trees or on stubble, provide the necessary manure and draught for growing crops. This type of integrated farming method helps both ways. The animals get their feed from nature and their manure returns the vital nutrients to the soil.

The Different Modes of Mixed Crop-Livestock Systems:

Depending on the market demands, farming techniques, land values, etc. crop-livestock farming modes can be classified into four different categories. 

Expansion Agriculture: 

This process can convert non-agricultural land into a cultivable one. This process can turn forests into crops. Wetlands can be transformed into a rice field and grasslands into pasture lands with the help of expansion agriculture. 

There are some factors that increase the demand for expansion agriculture. The ever-increasing population demands more food. This results in growing crops in a relatively smaller farmland. Expansion in agriculture is also seen in the Brazilian Amazon where land values are higher due to soy expansion and deforestation.   

It often has some negative impacts on nature. The balance in biodiversity is lost. Agricultural expansion is the major reason for deforestation. It leads to the loss of habitat, over-exploitation of natural resources, and land degradation. 

Low External Input Agriculture: 

Also known as LEISA, it uses local resources for farming. It is a sustainable farming method that can economically and ecologically sustain the population and the environment. It leads to better crop yield while protecting nature.

Some of the popular practices include recycling plants, less use of pesticides and insecticides, and ensuring better soil conditions. It also involves processes like no-till management. Winter flooding is a popular method that attracts migratory birds and their waste can increase the microbial diversity in nature.  

So, in this case, the farmers do not need to invest in external farming outputs. The agricultural methods involve the organic growth of crops and plants.

High External Input Agriculture: 

With this farming process, the farmers use large amounts of external inputs. The aim is to produce a higher amount of crops. They might use artificial or inorganic chemical pesticides and fertilizers. 

Also, they sometimes use herbicides and pesticides to control pests and weeds. This can damage the crop’s health. Also, they take the help of irrigation systems to ensure better water supply to the farmland for increased crop production. 

New Conservation Agriculture: 

This farming method focuses on maintaining soil cover. It aims to reduce soil disturbance and soil erosion. Farmers often plant different types of plant species in this method. 

Conservation tillage is a popular practice that lets the crop residues stay on the surface of the soil. It leads to increased water infiltration. Crop rotation and in-soil water conservation technologies can help farmers save water resources. It also results in better absorption of soil nutrients, better yield, and efficient resource management. 

This biodynamic farming system has been in practice for ages. It is an integrated farming method that promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Also, the System of Rice Intensification is a practice that leaves enough scopes of research for the agro-scientists. It might be a popular sustainable practice to increase rice production without negatively impacting the environmental resources. 

The Financial Advantages Associated with Mixed Farming:

Mixed farming has a lot to offer when it comes to financial advantages. Let’s get deeper into the economic benefits that mixed farming offers.

Reduced Cost for Inputs: Farmers do not invest in chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or weed control products. They opt for techniques like crop rotation that result in better weed control and reduced cost. 

Greater Weather Resilience: The crops are more resistant to external or environmental hazards. Farmers often plant dual-purpose crops that can be used as feed for livestock and for selling as well.

Transport Cost Savings: The farmers also do not need to invest in livestock feed. The animals can sustain themselves by the on-farm crops. They get their essential nutrients from the on-field fodder crops. This helps the farmers save the additional costs for the purpose of transportation. 

Not Vulnerable to Market Price Fluctuations: The production is not vulnerable to the police fluctuations associated with market prices and feed or input costs. The farmers will have less risk of running in loss with mixed farming. 

The Beneficial Synergy: The synergy between different farms is highly beneficial. The by-products of livestock farms can serve as essential fertilizer to the crop farmlands. 

The Environmental Impact of Mixed Farming:

Mixed farming also affects the environment positively in a number of ways. Let’s learn about the positive effects of mixed farming on nature and the environment. 

Well-Maintained Biodiversity: The mixed cultivation of crops and livestock raising leads to better control of land parcels. It leads to a well-balanced biodiversity. 

Enhanced Soil Health: In mixed agriculture, farmers often utilize natural or organic fertilizers like cow dung, livestock manure, etc. Also, organic methods like crop rotation and intercropping significantly boost soil health. 

Reduced Loss of Nitrogen: The farmers do not need to travel a lot to purchase animal feed chemical pesticides, or herbicides. This reduces the percentage of carbon and phosphorus in the air. The presence of enough meadows, equal distribution of waste, and better nutrient absorption organically lead to better nitrogen absorption of soil. 

Reduced Soil Erosion: Practices like crop rotation can make the plants less susceptible to atmospheric change. It leads to less soil erosion even at times of severe weather fluctuations or natural calamities. 

The Advantages of Mixed Farming;

Now, it is time to know the pros of mixed farming. If you want to go for mixed farming, it is always better to understand the benefits to make informed decisions. 

Right Uses of Resources: In the mixed farming process, farmers use the same crops for cultivation and raising animals. This makes it possible for them to utilize the resources most efficiently. 

The livestock grazes on the residual crops. It saves the extra cost of investing in animal feed or fertilizer. It results in reduced costs for production and increased profitability. 

Diversification: The diversified farming practice helps the farmers to equally spread the risks associated with market loss. The simultaneous process of growing crops and livestock raising can support them financially in case of crop failure and natural calamities.  

Higher Rate of Productivity: A mixed farming process boosts the productivity rate. Because the farmers can efficiently use their farmlands. The manure produced by animals can effectively fertilize the lands leading to better crop yield. 

Sustainable Practices: Since the mixed farming process reduces the involvement of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, it can be a sustainable farming method. The less use of artificial chemicals for pest and weed control can protect the environment and nature in the long run. 

Multiple Income Sources: Mixed farming can diversify the income sources of the farmers. In case they experience a crop failure they can earn by selling animal-derived products or offspring. If the livestock gets harmed due to natural calamity, they can sell the crops to the market for profit. 

The Disadvantages of Mixed Farming:

Mixed farming can have a lot of cons as well. These include:

Higher Labour Input: Mixed farming demands the involvement of human labor to a large extent. They are responsible for tending to the crops and the livestock’s requirements. The process is undoubtedly a time-consuming one that might lead to fatigue.

High Capital: The mixed farming process might require some initial investments. The capital investment is crucial for purchasing lands, livestock, farming equipment, seeds, and a lot of other essentials. Some farmers often face challenges to invest such huge amounts for farming needs. 

Specialized Skilled Labour: For successful mixed farming production, skilled farmers are highly required. They should be knowledgeable enough for better livestock and crop management. Mixed farming can pose several challenges for those farmers who lack the right skill set or knowledge. 

Pest and Disease Management: Mixed farming needs better pest and disease management systems. Diseases can easily spread from crops to animals and vice versa. The farmers should have an eye on the health of the livestock and livestock at all times. The monitoring is essential for better crop and livestock management and it consumes a lot of time. 

Market Risks: Mixed farming might be a risky endeavor if the farmers fail to find the right markets. They should sell their products to a market where there is a need for animal products and crops. Sometimes, an oversupply of these products in the market can reduce their marginal profit rate.

The Effectiveness of Mixed Farming

Mixed farming is an effective harvesting technique. However, the huge access to feed and fertilizer resources makes the process a difficult one. 

On-farm mixing involves the exchange of resources. After some time, the farmers need to recycle the waste.  Sometimes, the demand for external resources gets higher as the farming output depends on it. Also, the environment is affected by the emissions of greenhouse gases released by livestocks. It leads to waste disposal problems. 

New Conservation Agriculture is fruitful in this aspect. This is a mixed approach that involves some practices of High External Input Agriculture and Low External Input Agriculture. 

It focuses on restoring the lost soil nutrients while better crop yield depending on the food pattern of the local habitat. The method is good for adding nitrogen to the soil, regenerating soil, mobilizing phosphate, and controlling the growth of weeds. 

Despite a few issues, mixed farming has proved to be highly effective. Regions where farmers cannot have access to land are ideal for mixed farming. They can optimize the resources according to their needs. 

The Future Scopes of Mixed Farming: Should You Opt for It?

Mixed farming has a good future. Especially pastoral landowners can invest in mixed farming. They can grow crops and raise livestock at the same time. 

Sometimes, the livestock are kept at a distance from the main cropland with miles of acres. Sometimes, the mixing of livestock and crop production takes place on the same land. 

Farmers can also opt for diversified farming systems that reduce the chances of risks associated at times of severe climatic changes. Also, Low Extensive Input Agriculture and new Conservation Agriculture systems use organic fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides that lead to reduced pollution. 

Mixed farming also has several benefits that include limited uses of resources, better wages, employment opportunities, etc. If you can invest in the initial farming essentials and have access to large farmlands, mixed farming might provide you with several earring opportunities. 

Frequently Asked Questions: