Terrace (agriculture) facts for kids
Terraces are like giant steps cut into hillsides. Farmers build them to grow crops on steep land. This special way of farming is called terracing. It helps stop soil from washing away and makes it easier to water plants. Terraces are often used for crops like rice, which need a lot of water.
This farming method is used all over the world. You can find terraced fields in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. They are also common in the Mediterranean, Africa, and South America.
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Why Are Terraces Important?
Terracing is very useful for several reasons.
- It stops erosion. This means the valuable topsoil doesn't get washed away by rain.
- It helps manage water. Water flows slowly down the steps, soaking into the soil. This is great for crops like rice that need a lot of water.
- It creates more usable farmland. Land that is too steep for regular farming can be used with terraces.
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a famous example. They are so important that UNESCO has named them a World Heritage Site.
Terraces Around the World
Terraced fields are used for many different crops. In places with drier weather, like around the Mediterranean Sea, terraces are used for vineyards, olive trees, and cork trees.
Ancient Terraces in the Andes
In the Andes mountains of South America, farmers have used terraces for over 1,000 years. These terraces are called andenes. People grew crops like potatoes and maize (corn) on them.
The Wari culture and other groups developed terraced farming long before the Inca people. The Inca later adopted and improved these methods. They built amazing systems of canals and aqueducts to bring water to their terraced farms. These farms provided food for large Inca cities and religious places like Machu Picchu.
Terraces on Islands
Terraced fields are also common on islands with steep slopes. The Canary Islands have many terraces called cadenas (chains). These are built with strong stone walls and even have stairs and channels for water.
Terraces in Japan
In Japan, there are many beautiful terraced rice fields. Some of these are part of the "100 Selected Terraced Rice Fields." While some are slowly disappearing, volunteers help farmers keep these traditional fields going. They also help people visit and enjoy the views.
Gallery
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Terraced fields in Sa Pa, Vietnam.
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Tetang Village terraced fields, Mustang District
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Terraced fields in the Upper Mustang region of Nepal
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Terraced field in Kabal Swat valley, Pakistan.
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Terraced farmland in Peru, adopted by the Inca.
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Terraced hay fields in the Upper Mississippi River basin during the 1930s.
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Rice terrace in Bali
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Jatiluwih rice terrace in Bali, Indonesia.
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The Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao, Philippines.
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The Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, Philippines.
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Rice cultivation, Lower Himalayas, Nepal.
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Longsheng Rice Terrace in Longsheng county, Guangxi Province, southern China.
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Abstract pattern of terraced rice fields in Yuanyang County, Yunnan, China
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Image from Yuanyang, showing the rice terrace walls after harvest, weed removal, flooding and plowing.
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Terrace fields in Northern Thailand at the end of the dry season
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Lynchet system near Bishopstone in Wiltshire
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Terrace vineyard in the coteaux du Layon on the commune of Faye-d’Anjou, Maine-et-Loire, France
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See also
In Spanish: Bancal para niños
