why is terrace farming followed in the mountains
Step farming or terrace farming is common in hills tocheck soil erosionthrough water current on the slopes. It provides a physical barrier to soil erosion by water. The mountain is made into steps that slows down the speed of rainwater preventing damage to crops.
What is the purpose of terrace farming on mountains?
Typically, the purpose of terrace farming on slopes is to decrease water flows and prevent soil erosion. However, using it in the mountains is not the only option. Opposite to graduated step-like platforms, there are relatively level ones on gentle slopes or wavy lands, which shows that terracing applies for different field elevations.
Are all terrace slopes suitable for terrace cultivation?
Correspondingly, not all the types imply farming of all terrace slopes. The farming technique is suitable for the gentlest hills, and terrace cultivation embraces all the slopes. For this reason, they should suit machinery needs, and the terrace spacing is typically equal to the number of machinery swaths.
What are the disadvantages of terrace farming?
Terrace farming can lead to rainwater saturation. This is dangerous since it causes the overflow of water during the rainy season. The consequence of overflowing water is that it causes more dangerous water runoffs.Terraces may also result in mudslides if not well managed.
What are the types of terracing in agriculture?
The slopes may consist of earth proper, covered with perennial vegetation, or may be fortified with stones. Bench terracing in agriculture is most common for growing rice since bench terraces allow retaining water. For this reason, such a terracing layout is not suitable in the cases like:
How Does Terrace Farming Work?
A farmer farming on a rice terrace. Image credit: Thirawatana Phaisalratana/Shutterstock.com
What is terracing in agriculture?
This leads to the growth of healthy crops. There are two types of terracing known as graded terracing and level terracing. Terrace farming was invented by the Inca people who lived in the South American mountains. This farming method has made cultivation of crops in hilly or mountainous regions possible.
How does terrace farming affect soil quality?
The consequence of overflowing water is that it causes more dangerous water runoffs.Terraces may also result in mudslides if not well managed. Another limitation of terrace farming is that there’s need for huge inputs of labor to construct and maintain the terraces. Hence it is expensive as it is labor intensive. However, it can be cheap if there’s access to cheap labor. Terrace farming also leads to the reduction in soil quality due to the leaching process.
Why is terrace farming important?
Its absence would have led to most parts of Asia being unproductive. Hence it needs to be explored in other parts of the world such as Africa, America and other parts of the Asia that are not yet using it.
What happens when it rains?
When it rains, instead of rain carrying away the soil nutrients and plants down the slope, they flow to the next terrace. Every step has an outlet which channels water to the next step. This helps in keeping some areas dry and others wet. On very high altitudes, other crops apart from rice can be grown.
Where is terraced rice field?
Terraced Rice Field in Chiangmai, Thailand. Image credit: Chatrawee Wiratgasem/Shutterstock.com. Terrace farming is a method of farming whereby “steps” known as terraces are built onto the slopes of hills and mountains to be used for crop cultivation. Terrace farming is commonly used in Asia by rice-growing countries such as Vietnam, Philippines, …
How does a terrace help?
Sometimes rain water carries away the crops leading to low crop yield. Thirdly, terraces help in reduction of soil erosion and water loss.
What is terrace farming?
Luckily, different techniques have been developed for farming on different types of land. The technique that is practiced for farming in mountainous regions is known as terrace farming. In terrace farming, small flat areas are cut out of a hilly region. The technique is mainly used for the cultivation of crops like rice. It is popular in the mountainous region in Asia and South America.
Why is terrace farming important?
India, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka have a vast mountainous region, and rice is one of the major crops grown over this region. Another important reason for using terrace farming for growing rice paddy is that it requires a lot of water, and using this technique, more areas can be covered with limited water. It also helps in preventing soil erosion, a widespread phenomenon in mountainous regions.
What is the oldest occupation in the world?
Farming is one of the oldest occupations in the world. From Asia to Africa and from America to Europe, farming is an important source of income, and it always has been. Food is one of the primary requirements of humans globally, and there’s absolutely no alternative to it. The land and terrains across the world are different from each other in a lot of ways. So is the soil. This is why different types of crops are grown in different parts of the world. The total landmass across the world comprises plains, plateaus, mountains, and rocky terrain. The ideal type of land for farming is plains.
Where was terrace farming first used?
According to research, terrace farming was used near the desert city of Petra long ago. Several kinds of research prove that the technique is usually an ancient practice passed from one civilization to another. Researchers believe that the practice was first used at least 2,000 years ago. As per the research, the technique was used in Petra for farming wheat, grapes, and olives.
Which region is known for its deserts that are otherwise not fit for farming?
Petra, a region known for its deserts that is otherwise not fit for farming, benefited hugely due to the technique.
Is Switzerland a green country?
Switz erland is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural beauty. It is also one of the lands with an untouched green cover. Terrace farming is a popular practice in the Lavaux region of the country. The technique is used for vineyards. The practice has been in existence since the 11th century.
What is terrace farming?
in starting you might be thinking about a rooftop terrace but is not a rooftop terrace it’s Farming on the sloppy area, terrace meaning it a slopy area that is called terracing
Terrace cultivation Countries
Terrace cultivation or terrace farming has been practiced in Asian countries like Japan, the Philippines, China, Southeast Asia, and other areas of Oceania around the Mediterranean.
Irrigation in terracing
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Benefits of Terrace Farming
Terrace farming is able to convert damp passive land into productive farms which lead to higher food security in the world.
The disadvantage of terrace farming
it’s expensive because it’s labor-intensive. However, it is likely to be cheaper if there is a cheaper wage facility.