Optimum activity mix of dairy with crops in mixed farming system in Kerala¹

The study was conducted in Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala state with the objective to identify the optimum activity mix of milch animals with agricultural crops to enhance farm income of farmers operating mixed farming. The results of optimization programme in the three regions revealed that net returns could be increased in all regions in between Rs. 7,253 to Rs. 18,676 by adding one milch animal to plain region, two to high range and three to coastal region. Total net income could be maximized among farmers without change of given land area, resource use efficiency and technology. Farm-wise optimization analysis showed that net income of different farm size groups could be enhanced in between Rs. 4,275 to Rs. 15,252 by adding two animals to large and small farmers each and three animals to marginal farmers. By optimum activity mix, region wise highest incremental income was in high range with two more milch animals and size wise it was marginal farmer with three animals. A change in activity mix increased net returns in all regions and size groups.