information about mixed farming?

Answer 1

By diversifying your production commodities, you're more likely to remain in business. As one commodity experiences price drop, whether it be through market saturation or some sort of media scare, your other commodities can help keep the farm in business through out the dilemma. For example, if your farm produced solely spinach, you'd likely have a hard time selling your product what with the recent E.Coli scare. However, if you sold spinach, apples, wool and mushrooms. Well, the other three crops would help keep your farm from going broke while spinach prices drop.

Answer 2

Note of your interest from site:
http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/08/stories/2005070807230500.htm

Benefits of mixed farming

K. Santhosh

Efforts of a few enterprising farm officers and experts pay off

THRISSUR: Till 1997, Perinjanam, 40 km from here, could hardly boast of prosperity in the agriculture sector. Drop in agricultural prices and lack of Government support had forced farmers to even give up their vocation.

But following the efforts of a few enterprising farm officers and experts, the situation changed. In 1997, the Perinjanam Vanitha Pushpa Krishi Sanghom was formed. Today, jasmine cultivation and marketing by the Sanghom support at least 1,000 families in the Kodungallur-Chavakkad coastal belt. Eight kinds of jasmine are cultivated by about 150 units.

``The Sanghom initially had only 42 members. Today, Perinjanam has emerged as one of the major jasmine cultivation centres in the State.

The peak flowering season is between February and May. Quality jasmine fetches up to Rs.125 a kg in the market. Each farmer submits to the marketing society between 10 gm to 3 kg jasmine every day,'' says Sathi Chandraguptan, president of the Sanghom.

The success of the Sanghom inspired the Perinjanam farmers to form more societies and try out mixed farming. The Perinjanam Vegetable Society and the Perinjanam Floriculture Society were set up.

Agroclinics

``The experiment has been successful. Mixed farming has done the magic in Perinjanam. Hundreds of families have benefited from vegetable cultivation and floriculture. A lot of farmers grow different varieties of cucumber.

Ward-level agroclinics and workshops on organic farming are being regularly held here,'' says K.J. Oneil, agricultural officer.

Farmers have understood that diversification is the key to success. ``Along with paddy cultivation, I grow vegetables and vanilla. I am also into pisciculture, bee-keeping and dairy farming. I am a full-time farmer now,'' says Jayakumar of Maliyekkal House.

Orchid-anthurium farming was begun five years ago. Saplings were bought from the Horticorp at a discount. ``Initially, we grew only 100 plants. Today, the number has grown to 1,200.

Every fortnight, anthurium flowers are sent to the New Delhi market. A flower fetches up to Rs.17.50,'' says M.R. Viswanathan of Mumbu Veettil House.

The Krishi Bhavan also encourages farmers to set up vermi-compost heaps.

``The Perinjanam experience proves that even when the agriculture sector is reeling under crises, farmers can resort to mixed farming, plan their crops well and reap profits,'' says K.K. Ashokan of Karayil Veedu.