Terrace farming facts for kids
Terrace farming is a method of farming that has been around for thousands of years. It consists of creating stepped, flat surfaces or terraces on sloped terrain to cultivate crops.
Imagine trying to grow crops on a really steep hill. The soil would just wash away with the rain, right? That's where terrace farming comes in! It's like creating a giant staircase on a hillside, each step being a flat area for planting. This clever method allows farmers to grow food even in challenging mountainous areas.
When did it all begin?
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Terrace farming dates back thousands of years. It was practiced in the Andes Mountains of South America as early as 3000 BC. In Southeast Asia, particularly in places like the Philippines and Vietnam, evidence points to terrace farming being used around the same time, if not earlier. The exact origins are difficult to pinpoint, as many early terrace systems were built without written records.
In the Inca Empire (roughly 1438-1533 AD), terrace farming was incredibly important. The Incas were master builders, creating vast networks of terraces that allowed them to grow a wide variety of crops, even high up in the Andes. These terraces weren't just simple steps; they were carefully designed to maximize water retention and minimize soil erosion]. They used sophisticated irrigation systems to channel water to each terrace, ensuring that their crops had enough water to thrive. The Incas were so good at terrace farming that their systems are still visible today, a testament to their engineering skills.
In other parts of the world, different cultures independently developed terrace farming techniques. In the rice paddies of Southeast Asia, for example, terrace farming has been a crucial part of agriculture for centuries. The intricate systems of rice terraces in places like Banaue in the Philippines are breathtaking examples of human ingenuity and their harmony with nature.
How it works
Terrace farming isn't just about making steps in a hillside. There's a lot of science involved! Here's how it works:
- Leveling the land: The first step is to carefully level each terrace. This creates a flat surface where crops can be planted. This is often done by hand, using simple tools like shovels and hoes. In some cases, more advanced tools and even machinery might be used, depending on the scale of the project and the resources available.
- Building retaining walls: To hold the soil in place, retaining walls are built around the edges of each terrace. These walls can be made of various materials, including stone, earth, wood, or even concrete. The materials used often depend on what's readily available in the area. The walls are carefully constructed to withstand the pressure of the soil and prevent erosion.
- Irrigation: Water is essential for growing crops. In terrace farming, irrigation systems are often used to channel water to each terrace. This can involve simple ditches or more complex systems of canals and pipes. The design of the irrigation system depends on the terrain and the water sources available. Careful management of water is crucial to prevent waterlogging or drought.
- Soil management: The soil in terraces needs to be carefully managed to prevent erosion and maintain fertility. Farmers often use techniques like crop rotation and composting to improve soil health. This ensures that the soil remains productive over time. The type of soil and the crops grown will influence the specific soil management techniques used.
- Crop selection: The types of crops grown in terraces depend on the climate, altitude, and soil conditions. Farmers choose crops that are well-suited to the specific environment of their terraces. This might include rice, wheat, barley, potatoes, vegetables, or fruits, depending on the location and the time of year.
Benefits
Terrace farming offers many advantages:
- Reduced soil erosion: The flat terraces prevent soil from washing away, protecting valuable topsoil. This is especially important in hilly or mountainous areas where erosion can be a significant problem.
- Improved water management: Terraces help to retain water, ensuring that crops have enough moisture to grow, even during dry periods. This is particularly beneficial in areas with limited rainfall.
- Increased land use: Terrace farming allows farmers to cultivate land that would otherwise be unsuitable for agriculture. This increases the amount of land available for food production.
- Biodiversity: The different microclimates created by the terraces can support a greater variety of plants and animals. This contributes to biodiversity in the region.
- Aesthetic Beauty: Many terrace farming systems are visually stunning, creating beautiful landscapes that are often considered tourist attractions. The intricate patterns of the terraces are a testament to human ingenuity and the harmony between humans and nature.
Challenges
While terrace farming has many benefits, it also presents some challenges:
- Labor intensive: Building and maintaining terraces requires a lot of hard work. It's often done by hand, which can be time-consuming and physically demanding.
- High initial investment: Constructing terraces can be expensive, requiring significant investment in labor and materials.
- Maintenance: Terraces require ongoing maintenance to prevent erosion and ensure proper water management. This requires consistent effort from the farmers.
- Susceptibility to natural disasters: Terraces can be damaged by natural disasters such as floods, landslides, or earthquakes. This can lead to significant losses for farmers.
Images for kids
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Rice terraces, Bedugul, Bali.
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Cultivation terraces, Walkerburn
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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 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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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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rice cultivation in West Bengal, India.
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See also
In Spanish: Bancal para niños
