Systems Approach
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A system consists of several components which depend on each other. A system is defined as set elements or components that are inter – related and interacting among themselves. Farming system consists of several enterprises like cropping system, dairying, piggery, poultry, fishery, bee keeping etc. These enterprises are interrelated. The end products and wastes of one enterprise are used as inputs in others. The wastes of dairying like dung, urine, refuse etc., are used for the preparation of farmyard manure which is an input in cropping systems. The straw obtained from the crops is used as fodder for cattle. Cattle are used for different field operations for growing crops. Thus different enterprises for farming systems are highly interrelated.

Farming system

Farming systems represent an appropriate combination of farm enterprises viz. cropping system, livestock, poultry, fisheries, forestry and the means available to the farmer to raise them for increasing profitability. They interact adequately with environment without dislocating the ecological and socio-economic balance on the one hand and attempt to meet national goals on the other.

Mixed farming

The terms `farming systems` and `mixed farming` are used interchangeably. However, there are some subtle differences between these two. Mixed farming is defined as a system of farming on particular farm which includes crop production, raising livestock, poultry, fisheries, bee keeping etc., to sustain and satisfy as many needs of the farmer as possible. Subsistence is important objective of mixed farming while higher profitability without altering ecological balance is important in farming systems.