Mixed Crop-Livestock System: Past, Present, and Future

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of crop cultivation and livestock husbandry, known as mixed crop-livestock systems, has played a pivotal role in global agriculture for centuries. As we stand at the crossroads of a rapidly changing world, with evolving environmental challenges, shifting demographics, and increasing demands for food security, it becomes imperative to revisit and reevaluate these systems. This special issue, "Mixed Crop-Livestock System: Past, Present, and Future," embarks on a journey through time and across regions to explore the historical significance, current dynamics, and potential trajectories of these integrated farming systems. In a time where sustainability, resilience, and efficiency are paramount, this collection of research articles and insights will delve deep into the multifaceted aspects of mixed crop-livestock systems.

This Special Issue invites researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to contribute to a comprehensive exploration of mixed crop-livestock systems. These integrated farming systems, which have shaped agriculture for centuries, are the focus of our inquiry into their historical significance, current dynamics, and future potential. We seek to unravel their roles in sustaining livelihoods, preserving traditions, and addressing contemporary agricultural challenges. The special issue aims to celebrate the past, illuminate the present, and envision the future of mixed crop-livestock systems, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and efficiency in order address the pressing challenges of agriculture and food production in an ever-changing world. We welcome diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary contributions that examine the global landscape of these systems and provide insights, best practices, and policy recommendations for their continued vitality.

Scope

The special issue will encompass a wide range of topics related to mixed crop-livestock systems, including but not limited to:

• Historical perspectives on integrated farming systems and their cultural significance.
• Current geographical distribution and characteristics of mixed crop-livestock systems.
• Technological innovations and advancements that enhance the efficiency and productivity of these systems.
• Environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, land use change, and biodiversity conservation.
• Challenges and barriers faced by mixed crop-livestock practitioners and potential solutions.
• Case studies from diverse regions showcasing successful mixed crop-livestock systems.
• Future prospects and strategies for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of these systems in the face of global challenges.
• Interdisciplinary research and approaches, including contributions from agriculture, animal science, ecology, and environmental science.
• Practical recommendations for promoting and supporting mixed crop-livestock systems in different contexts.

Dr. Abubeker Hassen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• mixed crop-livestock systems
• integrated farming
• sustainability
• resilience
• environmental impact
• technological advancements
• challenges and solutions
• future of farming
• food security
• interdisciplinary research
• agricultural innovation