Terrace (agriculture)

Terrace agriculture is a way of growing crops on a hilly landscape. Instead of planting and growing crops all over the hilly landscape, farmers build stairs of flat land. The flat land sections are called terraces, and these terraces hold the soil and water so the crops can grow. Growing crops on terraces helps stop the soil and water from running down the hills and away from the crops. It also helps hold the soil in place and prevents it from being washed away. Terraces are built by digging a deep ditch along the hillside. The dirt which is removed is filled in to make a flat surface. This dirt is also used to build a wall, or dam, at the bottom of the ditch. This wall helps keep the terrace in place and also holds the water in, so it can be used to water the crops.