India’s agricultural sector, employing nearly half the workforce yet contributing modestly to GDP, stands at a critical juncture where traditional farming paradigms are giving way to transformative approaches. This paper examines how mixed-methods research illuminates the shifting landscapes of agribusiness and rural transformation across diverse Indian contexts. Drawing on recent empirical studies employing integrated qualitative-quantitative designs, we synthesize evidence on three key dimensions: sustainable intensification and farm typology development, social entrepreneurship and institutional engagement, and livelihood transitions in specialty crop systems. The analysis reveals that mixed-methods approaches are essential for capturing the heterogeneity of smallholder systems, understanding adoption dynamics of sustainable practices, and measuring multidimensional livelihood outcomes. We find that participatory methods combined with statistical techniques enable scalable, context-sensitive interventions, while case study approaches illuminate the transformative potential of social enterprises and institutional collaborations. The paper contributes a framework for understanding how methodological integration advances both theoretical understanding and practical application in Indian agricultural development.