SHORT ANSWER:
Mixed cropping involves growing different crops together,
while mixed farming involves combining crop production with animal husbandry.
LONG ANSWER:
Mixed cropping and mixed farming are two different agricultural practices with distinct differences:
1. Mixed cropping: It is a practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field. The crops are selected in a way that they complement each other in term of nutrient requirements, growth habits, and time of maturity. This practice is also known as intercropping. The main aim of mixed cropping is to maximize the use of available resources and increase productivity. Examples of mixed crops are maize an beans, wheat and peas, and sorghum and cowpeas.
2. Mixed farming: It is a practice of combining crop production with animal husbandry ir the same farm. The crops grown in mixed farming are used to feed the livestock, and the animal waste is used as manure to improve soil fertility. This practice aims at maximizing the use of available resources and diversifying income sources. Mixed farming includes activities like growing crops, raising animals, and processing and marketing of farm products. Examples of mixed farming are dairy farming, poultry farming, and sheep rearing.