Question

More than 30% of the land in the Indian subcontinent is hilly in nature; therefore, terrace farming practices have allowed farming communities to thrive for ages. Farming communities in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have used this to cultivate maize, pulses, and wheat for both consumption and export.

How does terrace farming ensure soil conservation?

Answer 1

Terrace farming conserves soil by cutting hill slopes into a series of flat steps or terraces. These terraces slow down the flow of rainwater, reduce surface run-off, and prevent the fertile topsoil from being washed away. Thus, it helps to control soil erosion and retain soil moisture.