Correct Option
The correct option isIt involves growing crops and rearing livestock on the same land.
Explanation
Mixed farming is a form of agriculture where crop cultivation and livestock rearing are integrated on the same farm. It is considered one of the most common and highly developed forms of agriculture, primarily found in the temperate latitudes of developed regions.
Option Analysis
- It is practiced in the Amazon basin. is Incorrect: Mixed farming is typically practiced in North-western Europe, Eastern North America, parts of Eurasia, and the temperate latitudes of Southern continents. The Amazon basin is characterized by primitive subsistence agriculture, such as shifting cultivation, rather than commercial mixed farming.
- It involves growing crops and rearing livestock on the same land. is Correct: The defining characteristic of mixed farming is the simultaneous growing of crops (such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, maize, and fodder crops) and the rearing of livestock (such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry). This integration allows for the efficient use of farm by-products; for example, crops provide fodder for animals, and animals provide manure for the soil.
- It is a primitive form of agriculture. is Incorrect: Mixed farming is not a primitive form of agriculture. It is a highly advanced, commercial system that requires significant management skills and scientific methods like crop rotation and intercropping to maintain soil fertility.
- It relies solely on manual labour. is Incorrect: This system is capital-intensive rather than solely labour-intensive. It involves substantial investment in farm machinery, buildings, chemical fertilizers, and green manures. While skilled labour is required, the operations are highly mechanized compared to subsistence farming.
Key Takeaway
Mixed Farming is a capital-intensive, commercial agricultural system prevalent in developed temperate regions, characterized by the combined production of crops and livestock to ensure ecological balance and economic stability.