Terrace farming is an agricultural practice where farmers create stepped or flat platforms on slopes to cultivate crops, preventing soil erosion and optimizing water management. Widely practiced in hilly regions such as India, China, and Peru, this method enhances land use and promotes sustainable agriculture by allowing diverse crop cultivation. Benefits include increased agricultural productivity, food security, and the preservation of traditional farming practices.

1. What is Terrace Farming? - KhetiGaadi
Terrace farming is an agricultural method where stepped or flat platforms are created on slopes
or hillsides to cultivate crops. By constructing terraces, the steep land is transformed into a series
of leveled surfaces, preventing soil erosion and allowing efficient water management. This
technique maximizes land use, conserves water, and promotes sustainable farming in areas with
challenging terrains. Terrace farming is practised in hilly regions worldwide, including countries
like India, China, and Peru.
Terrace Farming in India
Terrace farming has long been practiced in India, particularly in hilly regions like Uttarakhand,
Himachal Pradesh, and the Northeast. With limited flat land, farmers ingeniously construct
terraces on slopes, creating leveled platforms for cultivation. These terraces prevent soil erosion
by controlling water runoff and help conserve precious topsoil. Terrace farming optimizes water
management, as the leveled surfaces facilitate efficient irrigation and water distribution. It also
promotes agricultural diversification, enabling farmers to grow various crops on separate
terraces. This sustainable farming practice in India harnesses the potential of challenging
terrains, ensuring food security and maximizing agricultural productivity. Terrace farming in India
combines traditional agricultural techniques with modern equipment like a tractor for efficient
cultivation on stepped platforms.
Terraces meaning in hindi
तराइयााँ, ह िंदी में "terraces" का अर्थ ोता ै। य शब्द प ाडी या मड ट्ट जैसे अवकारी क्षेत्रों पर बनाए गए समतल पट्टट्टयों को
दशाथता ै। ये पट्टट्टयााँ मुख्यतः हकसानों द्वारा खेती के हलए उपयोग ोती ैं। तराइयााँ सामट्टरक पुरों द्वारा या धारों द्वारा हनहमथत की जाती

2. ैं और उन् ें खेती के हलए स्र्ानीय मानव और पशुओिंके उपयोग के हलए प्रयोग हकया जाता ै। तराइयों का हनमाथण करके, भूहम का
उपयोग कायथक्षेत्र के रूप में बढाया जाता ै, जो खेती की उत्पादकता में सुधार करता ै और मृदा को धारण करने में मदद करता ै।
What is terrace cultivation?
Terrace cultivation is the method of creating leveled platforms on slopes or hillsides for farming.
It prevents soil erosion, optimizes land use in hilly regions, and enables cultivation on steep
terrains. This practice promotes sustainable agriculture by conserving soil, enhancing water
management, and increasing agricultural productivity.
What is Contour ploughing?
Contour ploughing is an agricultural technique where furrows are ploughed along the natural
contours or contour lines of the land. Contour ploughing is also known as contouring farming and
contour cultivation. This helps to reduce soil erosion by slowing down water runoff and preventing
the formation of gullies. It is an effective method for conserving soil and maintaining its fertility
for sustainable farming.
What is strip cropping?
Strip cropping or strip farming is an agricultural practice where different crops are planted in
alternating strips or bands across a field. This technique helps to minimize soil erosion by
creating barriers that reduce the speed of water runoff. Strip cropping also enhances soil fertility,
improves water infiltration, and promotes biodiversity in farming systems.
What is Step Farming?
Step farming is also known as step terrace farming or step cultivation. In this method of
agricultural practices crops are cultivated on a series of stepped platforms or terraces. It allows

3. farmers to utilize hilly or sloping terrains efficiently. By creating leveled steps, step farming
prevents soil erosion, optimizes water usage, and enhances crop productivity in challenging
landscapes.
Benefits of Terrace Farming
● Terrace farming prevents soil erosion by controlling water runoff and retaining topsoil.
● It optimizes land utilization in hilly regions, making agriculture possible in challenging
terrains.
● Terrace farming promotes efficient water management and conserves valuable water
resources.
● It allows for diversified crop cultivation, reducing the risk of crop failure and enhancing
resilience.
● Terrace farming supports sustainable agriculture practices by reducing environmental
degradation and promoting soil health.
● It contributes to food security by increasing agricultural productivity in areas with limited
flat land.
● Terrace farming helps preserve traditional farming practices and cultural heritage in
mountainous regions.
● It provides employment opportunities and income generation for local communities
engaged in agricultural activities.
Which crops thrive in terrace farming?
The choice of crops in terrace farming depends on various factors such as climate, soil type,
market demand, and local agricultural practices. However, certain crops are commonly grown in
terrace farming due to their adaptability to hilly terrains and suitability for terrace cultivation
techniques. Some popular crops in terrace farming include:
Rice: Rice is a staple crop grown in terraced paddy fields in many parts of Asia, including India,
China, and Southeast Asian countries.

4. Herbs and Medicinal Plants: Some terrace farmers cultivate herbs and medicinal plants like
lavender, rosemary, mint, and aloe vera, which have high market demand for culinary, cosmetic,
or medicinal purposes.
Wheat: Wheat is a widely cultivated cereal crop suitable for terrace farming, particularly in regions
with cooler climates.
Maize: Maize is a versatile crop that can be cultivated on terraces, providing grains for human
consumption or animal feed.
Fruits: Depending on the local climate and conditions, terrace farming can include fruit crops such
as citrus fruits, strawberries, apples, and peaches.
Vegetables: Various vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and leafy greens can be grown
on terraces, offering fresh produce and marketable crops.
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