The correct option is B. mixed farming. Explanation of the Correct Answer Mixed Farming refers to an agricultural practice where farmers engage in both plant and animal husbandry on the same farm. This approach allows farmers to diversify their production, which can lead to increased sustainability and profitability. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of why mixed farming is the correct answer:

1. Definition of Mixed Farming:
2. Mixed farming combines the cultivation of crops (plant husbandry) with the raising of livestock (animal husbandry). This integration allows for a more efficient use of resources, as the waste from animals can be used as fertilizer for crops, and crop residues can serve as feed for livestock.
3. Benefits of Mixed Farming:
4. Resource Efficiency: By utilizing both crops and livestock, farmers can maximize the use of land and resources. For example, manure from animals can enhance soil fertility, while crop production can provide feed for the animals.
5. Risk Management: Diversifying production helps mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations or crop failures. If one sector (crops or livestock) underperforms, the other can help sustain the farm's income.
6. Sustainability: Mixed farming can lead to more sustainable agricultural practices, as it promotes biodiversity and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Explanation of Incorrect Options Now, let’s analyze why the other options are incorrect or weaker: A. Lay Farming: - Definition: Lay farming is not a recognized term in agricultural science. It may be a typographical error or confusion with another term. Therefore, it does not apply to the context of combining plant and animal husbandry. - Conclusion: This option is incorrect because it lacks a clear definition and relevance to the practice described in the question. C. Mixed Cropping: - Definition: Mixed cropping involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. This practice focuses solely on plant production and does not include animal husbandry. - Conclusion: While mixed cropping is beneficial for crop diversity and pest management, it does not encompass the integration of livestock, making it an incomplete answer to the question. D. Crop Rotation: - Definition: Crop rotation is the practice of growing different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of seasons. This method helps improve soil health and reduce pest and disease cycles. - Conclusion: Crop rotation is focused solely on crop management and does not involve animal husbandry. Therefore, it does not fit the description of engaging in both plant and animal production. Summary of Key Points

• Mixed Farming is the practice of integrating both crop cultivation and livestock rearing on the same farm.
• It enhances resource efficiency, risk management, and sustainability in agricultural practices.
• Other options like lay farming, mixed cropping, and crop rotation do not adequately describe the combination of plant and animal husbandry.

Revision Summary

• Mixed Farming: Involves both crops and livestock on the same farm.
• Benefits: Increases efficiency, reduces risk, and promotes sustainability.
• Incorrect Options: Lay farming is undefined; mixed cropping and crop rotation focus only on plants.
• Key Concept: Understanding the integration of plant and animal husbandry is crucial for effective agricultural practices.