HILLSIDE FARMING

Hillside farming is farming that is done on a side or slope of a hill;

it can also be done in a flat-floored valley, 300 to 900 meters in
elevation, which are scattered throughout the interior hillsides.
Valleys refer mainly to lowland areas in the North and North West
of a country. Agricultural potential in hillside areas varies with
agro- ecological factors such as elevation, rainfall and soil
characteristics.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF HILLSIDE FARMING(Negative):
Increase erosion which leads to soil degradation- as rainfall hits
loose or unprotected soil on cultivated sloping land, soils erode
and carry away sediments and nutrients. The resulting
redistribution of nutrients may leave upward sloping soil less
fertile than lower areas and fertilizers or other chemical
particles in run-off may negatively impact ecosystems and
water quality for downstream human populations.
Increase agrochemicals use on these hillsides farms is also
polluting the aquatic and marine environment which can lead
to eutrophication and loss of aquatic life.
Bio-diversity losses.
Decrease in soil nutrient
Positive impact of Hillside Farming:
Prime agricultural soils are often found in flood-plain, where the
land is rich in nutrients and fertile.
Ways to reduce the environmental impact of hillside
farming are:
Contour hedge-rows consist of vegetation that is planted along
contours spaced 1.5 to 3 vertical metres down a hillside. The
hedgerow serves to interrupt run-off, thereby trapping soil and
gradually forming a bench terrace.

 Practicing methods such as Terracing farming and Contour

farming.