Contour farming is an agricultural technique where soil conservation is prioritized by performing farming operations, like tilling and planting, along the natural contours of the land. These contours are lines of elevation that run across a slope.
By plowing and planting parallel to these contour lines, farmers create a series of small ridges and ditches. These act as barriers that slow down rainwater runoff. This process:
Contour farming is distinct from other agricultural methods:
Essentially, contour farming is a fundamental conservation practice integrated directly into the farming operation itself.