Question

Which part of India is known for Terraced farming?

Answer 1

Hint: Terrace cultivation refers to the practice of growing crops on the sides of hills or mountains by planting on graduated terraces built into the slope. Though labour-intensive, the method has been used successfully to maximize arable land area in varying terrains while also reducing soil erosion and water loss.

Complete answer:
Terraced farming is a method of cultivating crops on the slopes of hills or mountains by planting on graduated terraces built into the slope. Terrace farming is mostly practised in hilly areas. It is mostly practised in hilly areas of India, such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and some northeast states. It is also practised in the south, such as Andhra Pradesh.

Terrace farming types:
Terrace farming is classified into two types: bench and ridge terraces.
- Bench terraces: Bench terraces are used to reduce the slope of the land.
- Ridge terraces: Ridge terraces are used to remove or retain water from slopes. Ridge terraces are classified into two types: narrow-based and broad-based.

Examples of crops grown using terrace farming.
- Terrace farming is used to grow paddy, cereals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal plants, aromatic plants, dye plants, wheat, maize, rice, pulses, oilseeds, and other crops.
- Apples, subtropical and temperate fruits, nuts, and dry fruits are the most important fruit crops.
- Tea and hops are important commercial crops in the western Himalayan highlands.

Thus, Terraced farming is mostly practised in hilly areas of India, such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and some northeast states. It is also practised in the south, such as Andhra Pradesh.

Note: One of the primary benefits of terrace cultivation is that it can protect the soil on the terraced area from excessive erosion. Erosion occurs when moving water removes soil from the area over which it flows. Terracing slows the flow of water by shortening the length of the slope that water must run over (i.e., by creating a level terrace on an otherwise sloped face). This keeps the soil in the area from being washed away in a flood.