The agriculture sector of any country is a vital aspect of its economy, supporting the employment and food security of its entire population. In India, more than 50% of the population is into agriculture for their living. But, the vast variety of landscapes and climate of India presents both advantages and disadvantages for agriculture.
In the case of the hilly and mountain regions, the common Terrace farming methods don’t work due to the steep slopes and the soil erosion aspects. In order to resolve these issues, terrace farming in India has been widely accepted in these places. This ancient technique of cultivating crops not only enables farming to take place in hilly areas but, as a result, increases productivity while preventing harm to water and soil resources.
We are here to define terrace farming and its concepts in India and make sense of its various types, benefits, regional importance, and how it is undertaking sustainability in agriculture in these regions. Furthermore, we delve into the commonly asked questions concerning this concept.
What is Terrace Farming?
Terrace farming is a form of farming that is practiced in hills and slopes where the land is constructed into a succession of flat, levelled platforms. The creation of these levelled surfaces enhances the cropping potential of the area while regulating water flow. With the creation of terraces, the management of water is made easier, which helps control soil erosion and enables the planting of crops at higher elevations. In this way, water stagnation is also minimized, allowing the crops to be properly irrigated.
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Terrace Farming Definition
As with any form of farming, a landscape with any slope can be organized into plots of land known as terraces. This approach to farming is also called step farming or contour farming, and if utilized in proper depths, it can considerably decrease the impact of soil erosion while simultaneously increasing agricultural output.
Types of Terrace Farming
Based on structure, purpose, and even the field, there exist multiple classifications of terrace farming. These classifications include the following:
Bench Terracing: Most widely used, and quite literally, the name explains it all. The method consists of a gradual slope being cut into horizontal steps, which make it look like a set of benches. It is commonly used in Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Contour Terracing: Done almost exclusively in combination with crop rotational farming, this technique consists of terrace layout to parallel contour lines within the field. It reduces soil erosion along with the runoff of water.
Riser Terracing: The vertical embankments, called risers, are built to retain soil and prevent water from washing it away or soil collapse.
Stone Wall Terracing: A combination of stone or rock walls with terrace farming to overcome soil erosion and water control. Especially useful in high-altitude areas in Ladakh.
Permanent Raised Beds: These beds, with a cover of organic compost to support adequate growth of vegetables and plants, are most common in urban areas where home terrace farming is most popular.
Advantages of Terrace Farming
Terrace Farming is essential for dispersing agriculture in mountain areas. Some of the benefits are:
Soil Erosion At Bay: Terraces reduce the smooth flow of water, which in turn can wash away the loose topsoil, keeping the soil nutrients healthy.
Water Saving: The structure of the unit enables better absorption of rainwater into the soil, thus reducing the need for too much irrigation.
Increase in food: This increases the amount that can be grown in the mountainous region, which expands food production.
Decreased Landslide Effects: Terraces can help stabilize the soil and help reduce the chance of a landslide during heavy rainfall.
Eco-Friendly Agriculture: Organic farming can be encouraged by thin-layer planting to minimize the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Coping with Climate Change: Water management and soil conservation make agriculture more resilient to adverse climate change effects.
Terrace Farming in India: Regional Insights
Which areas have well-developed systems of terrace farming in India?
Quite a few states in India have a functional and successful terrace farming system, especially in mountain and hill areas. They are:
- Uttarakhand
- Himachal Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Meghalaya
- Ladakh
Where in India is Terrace Farming Practiced?
Practitioners of terrace farming can be found in many parts of India where steep gradients render normal farming not easy. The major areas include:
- The Himalayan Belt: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- The Northeastern Hills: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram
- The Western Ghats: Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka
- The Eastern Ghats: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
- The Aravalli Hills: Rajasthan
Which Regions Have the Highest Frequency of Using Terrace Farming as a Cultivation Method?
Terrace farming is most frequently practiced in hilly and mountainous regions where flatland farming is impracticable. The Northeast, the Himalayan foothills, and the Western Ghats are some of the regions that practice terrace farming the most.
Which Part of India Is Famous for Practicing Terrace Farming?
The Himalayan region and Northeast India are exemplary areas where such techniques of advanced terrace farming in India are practiced. Step farming is practiced in these regions to cultivate rice, maize, millet and vegetables.
India’s Organic Farming and Agriculture through Terrace Cultivation
In India, due to a high demand for organically produced crops, farmers have started using the terrace cultivation method. Organic farming is done using terrace farming in India.
Harisharan Devgan is known as an organic farmer in India who pioneered terrace farming in India and “sustainable” farming methods. Along with Deccan Herald, he has promoted terrace farming in India as a means of improving yield while conserving nature’s resources.
Expansion of Cities: Terrace Gardening for Houses
Due to the fast growth of cities, most urban residents are now taking advantage of the space above their homes. Using the rooftops for urban gardening has become a common practice. This helps city folks to grow their own organic vegetables and herbs instead of depending on the commercial market, which helps to promote self-sufficiency.
What Steps Are Needed to Start Terrace Gardening at Home?
- Pick the Location: Look for a balcony or balcony with good sunlight exposure during the day.
- Containers or Raised beds are Preferred: Use Raised beds or containers filled with organic soil for planting crops.
- Pick the Right Vegetables: Vegetables such as tomatoes, chillies, spinach, and coriander are perfect for planting at home.
- Use Drip Rose to water Your Garden: To save agua and guarantee soil is damp.
- Organic fertilizers: For maximum soil health, use compost, dung from cows, and bio-fertilizers.
Conclusion
Farmers in hilly areas can grow their crops while conserving soil and water through the practice of terrace farming, which is a vital agricultural technique. This technique has proven useful for many years and continues to be useful in issues like climate change and sustainable agriculture.
Adding this farming technique to Indian agriculture alongside rural villages and urban places enhances food security and ecological balance and improves resilience to climate change, making it an important part of the agricultural system.