Plowing across a slope following its elevation contour lines.
〰️
Contour plowing, or contour farming, is the practice of ploughing and planting across a slope following its elevation contour lines, rather than up and down the slope. Each furrow runs perpendicular to the direction of the slope, creating a series of small barriers that slow runoff and trap soil and water. The technique is ancient—evidence exists in the Andes, the Philippines rice terraces, and ancient Mediterranean agriculture—and was promoted scientifically in the 20th century after the American Dust Bowl, when the Soil Conservation Service encouraged contour plowing to combat erosion. It is often combined with strip cropping, terracing, and grassed waterways for greater effectiveness. Benefits include reduced soil loss, increased water infiltration, improved moisture retention in dry areas, and higher crop yields on sloping land. Limitations include difficulty for large machinery on irregular terrain and the risk of furrow breakage during intense storms. Contour plowing remains a core soil-conservation practice in sustainable agriculture.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Leave a comment