CONSERVING AND PROTECTING

THE SOIL FOR FUTURE

GENERATIONS
CONSERVING AND PROTECTING THE
SOIL THROUGH TERRACE FARMING

Terrace farming is one of the ways of

protecting the soil and preserving it.

What is Terrace Farming?

Terrace farming is an agricultural practice
which rearranges farmlands on hills by
constructing specific ridged platforms. These
platforms are called terraces.
Terraces are made using low walls of
earth up the side of the hills, these allow the
farmers to make flat areas for planting their
crops – the terraces.
Terrace farming is commonly found through
Asia and is used when the terrain is
particularly hilly or steep. Of course, in the
Philippines, we have the famous rice terraces
in Banaue.

What are the benefits of a terrace system?

The major benefit, of course, is the
conservation of soil and water. Terraces
reduce both the amount and velocity of water
moving across the soil surface, which greatly
reduces soil erosion. Terracing thus permits
more intensive cropping than would otherwise
be possible.

How effective are terraces in controlling

erosion?
Generally, very effective! They intercept
rainfall runoff as it starts down a slope, thus
preventing a large accumulation of flow on
the surface. This reduces the potential for
erosion.
In effect, terraces break up one long slope
into a number of short ones. Terraces also
give soil particles that do erode a chance to
settle out in the basin behind the terrace
ridge, while the excess water is slowly
discharged.

Terracing At Home
Terracing is not only applicable to farmers.
Many homeowners build terraces if their yard
is on a slope! Homeowners can then grow
gardens and fruit trees, or create pleasant
sitting areas where previously they had an
unusable slope. Garden terraces also make
for beautiful landscapes. And as an added
plus, if you grow berries on terraces you can
pick them from the terrace below without
having to bend over!