What is Terrace Farming and Why is it Used?

An ancient agricultural method that transforms hillsides into a series of graduated platforms for cultivation. This technique creates level growing areas on slopes, enabling farming on terrain otherwise unsuitable for agriculture.

Structural Elements

• Physical Components
  • Retaining walls
  • Level platforms
  • Drainage systems
  • Access paths
• Construction Materials
  • Stone walls
  • Earth embankments
  • Reinforcement materials

Technical Aspects

• Design Parameters
  • Platform width
  • Wall height
  • Slope gradient
  • Water management
• Maintenance Requirements
  • Wall repair
  • Drainage clearing
  • Erosion control

Benefits

• Erosion Prevention
• Water Conservation
• Land Use Optimization
• Soil Retention
• Microclimate Creation

Common Crops

• Rice
• Vegetables
• Vineyards
• Fruit Trees
• Olive Groves

Technical Considerations

• Slope Analysis
• Soil Type Assessment
• Drainage Planning
• Maintenance Access
• Climate Adaptation

Regional Variations

• Mediterranean Style
  • Dry stone walls
  • Olive and vine cultivation
• Asian System
  • Rice paddies
  • Water management focus
• Andean Method
  • High altitude adaptation
  • Indigenous crop focus

Terrace farming represents a sustainable agricultural practice that combines traditional knowledge with modern engineering principles to create productive agricultural landscapes on hillsides.