Terrace farming is one of the common farming methods used in the agriculture sector. This farming practice followed in mountain regions and hilly areas by forming terraces.
Terraces are horizontal human-made areas created on the slopes of mountains and hills to cultivate the crops. These are constructed for cultivation on mountain slopes and to provide a wide range of surface areas to support farming for long periods. Terrace farming is easily done with various and innovative farm machines such as tractors, planters, harvesters, etc. Many tractors are used for terrace farming, such as Mahindra 265, Farmtrac 6055 and Mahindra Arjun 605 tractor, and many more.
Terracing supports water flow reduction, soil erosion, and increment water holding capacity. It can make different microclimates that protect crops from high winds and increase solar radiation intensity on a field.
Terraces Are Classified Under Different Categories
- Based upon retaining walls there are 5-types of terraces available:-
- Bench Terraces
- Broad Field Bench Terraces
- Check Dams
- Cross-Channel Terraces
- Sloping Field Terraces
- Based upon differences in building materials there are 4-types of terraces available:-
- Soil Ridge Terraces
- Stone Dike Terraces
- Grass Ridge Terraces
- Soil–Rock Mixed Terraces
- Based upon rainfall availability and climatic zones there are 2-types of terraces available:-
- Dryland Terraces
- Paddy Terraces
- Based upon purposes there are 6-types of terraces available:-
- Agricultural terraces
- Afforestation terraces
- Orchard terraces
- Tea-garden terraces
- Rubber terraces
- Mulberry terraces
- Based upon location there are 2-types of terraces available:-
- Hillslope Terraces
- Channel Terraces
These are some special categories of terraces based upon different things such as location, purposes, climate, etc.
Benefits of Terrace Farming
Terrace farming includes an ultimate package of benefits that make this farming most profitable and beneficial. In the below section, we show all the advantages of terrace farming.
- Terrace Farming Improve Water Conservation And Reduce Runoff
Terraces work as micro-watersheds in the whole slope. Hence, it directly reshapes the hill slope’s micro-topography. These are some special factors that enhance rainwater harvesting’s efficiency by changing hydrological pathways. Also, a terrace farming method improves the soil roughness and makes voids penetrate water droplets. Thus, it improves soil moisture and water holding capacity.
- Soil Protection and Control of Soil Erosion
Terracing weakens rainfall overflow impacts by diminishing the water speed and aggregate sum of debris flow. It prompts an increment in biomass and surface cover. Terraces have banks or edges, which builds the efficiency of soil protection.
- Improve Land Productivity And Soil Fertility
Because of the decrease in soil disintegration and having high water holding limits, terraces cultivating improves soil fertility and land efficiency. For example, in rice terraces, irrigation is planned for providing water to paddy crops and different purposes. Additionally, the protection of terraced paddy fields, all year water system’s extraordinary act assumes numerous fundamental parts, including putting away water, keeping up ideal soil conditions for rice development, and giving a living space to different edible aquatic animals.
- Guarantee Food Security and Harvest Yield
Water shortage and soil disintegration are the issues for the mountain. Terraces farming is guaranteed food security and expands crop yield by water and soil preservation. Hence it diminishes soil disintegration. In terraces cultivation, the communication among water and compost increment brings about the high return.
Terrace cultivation acts in mountains or another area to biological system reclamation and upgrading biodiversity. where standard framing is not possible
Examples Of Crops Grown By Terrace Farming
There are many crops available which are grown by terrace farming, showing in the below section.
- Maize
- Barley
- Rice
- Potato
- Apple
- Plum
These are some important details about terrace farming, helping you gain your knowledge about terrace farming. For the latest updates, tune in with us.
