African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6900

Article in Press

Constraints perceived and suggestions offered in the adoption of mixed farming

Vadakke Thodikayil Onima

  •  Received: 13 August 2015
  •  Accepted: 10 December 2015
Mixed farming is an agrarian system that mixes arable farming with the raising of livestock. The live stock enterprises are complementary to crop production so as to provide a balance and productive system of farming. The present study was conducted in Anand taluka of Anand district of Central Gujarat to analyze constraints perceived and suggestions offered in the adoption of mixed farming. From the selected Anand taluka, a random sample of 50 mixed farming adopter farmers were selected from ten villages viz., Adas, Boriavi, Kasor, Khambholaj, Lambhvel, Mogri, Ode, Rasnol, Sarsa and Vadod. The study revealed that major input-supply related constraints faced by the farmers in the adoption of mixed farming were insufficient supply of high quality inputs based on farmers demand in mixed farming, shortage of labours that can do both agricultural and animal husbandry related activities. The major technological constraints were lack of knowledge on disease prevention practices in animals, poor knowledge about livestock/crop insurance and lack of advanced knowledge to handle both activities at a time. The administrative constraints were lack of timely technical advice on livestock and crop management practices from VLWs, delay in sanction of loan and subsidy, unavailability of A.I. centre. The market related constraints were absence of support price in case of glut in the market, fluctuations in market price of produces and lack of timely information regarding demand and supply. The personal and socio-psychological constraints were lack of knowledge about optimization of crop rotation practices in mixed farming. The suggestions offered by farmers were to promote supply of quality concentrate feeds for livestock for mixed farming, timely availability of loan/subsidy, to develop model for location, farm size and herd size specific mixed farming for small, medium and big farmers

Keywords: Constraints, Suggestions, Adoption, Mixed farming