Contour Farming in India

Imagine a landscape beauty of nature where the rolling hills are not just picturesque but also a part of unique agricultural tradition and also productive, where farmers use the natural contours for practising cultivation in a sustainable way. Yes you guessed right! Contour farming is qualifying all these characteristics.

In Indian agriculture we have a huge diversity in crops, farming methods and agribusiness with different challenges like unique terrains, climates and land soil issues. 

Contour farming is a smart way for farmers to work with the natural shape of the land. Instead of planting crops in straight lines up and down hills, they plant them along the curves of the land. Lets understand deeply about it: 

What is contour farming? 

Contour farming is widely popular in India as it is a sustainable agricultural method that is practiced in  hilly and sloped regions. In this farming natural contours are used instead of ups and down slopes and involves plowing and planting for making furrows in a perpendicular direction for the slow runoff of water that helps to allow more time for water to infiltrate the soil. 

Couture farming is also known as contour plowing, is one of the ancient methods of agriculture around 1200 and 900 B.C. Various ancient societies, including those in South Asia, adopted similar practices to farm on slopes, recognizing the benefits of planting along the natural contours of the land. 

In Australia, contour farming is often used in the wheat-growing regions of the country, such as Western Australia and South Australia. In Brazil, it is commonly used in the coffee-growing regions of the country.

This farming is generally practiced especially in the  hilly regions of India such as in Himachal Pradesh, in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, where around 50,000 hectares are under this practice and many more. Some of the major crops that are cultivated through these methods are maize, rice, vegetables, pulses.millets and many more. 

Also Read: Terrace farming in India

Difference between contour farming and terrace farming 

Also Read: Extensive farming in india

Types of contour farming

There are several different types of contour farming techniques that farmers can use, each of which may be more or less suitable for different types of crops. Some common types of contour farming techniques include:

1. Contour strip cropping: this farming method involves different types of planting strips of different crops along contour lines, which is well-suited for crops with different water and nutrient needs e.g. soya beans and corn. This method is typically used in the area with sloppy terrains where it is helpful in preventing soil erosion.
2. Terracing: This type follows the natural contours of the land in a different pose and is designed to reduce soil erosion and retain moisture. By utilizing this method, farmers can cultivate crops in hilly regions while conserving soil and water resources, demonstrating a harmonious relationship between agriculture and the environment.
3. Ridge tillage: This farming method involves planting of crops on raised beds or ridges and soil were left undistributed from harvest to planting, except for nutrient injection. It is  also known as the conservation tillage method. There are so many advantages of performing this method like it helps in improving the water quality, Conserved moisture, Better drainage in cold and wet soils and many more. 
4. Grass waterways: It is a natural or man made constructed channel that is shaped in specific dimensions and established with suitable vegetation, typically grasses. These channels facilitate the safe transport of concentrated water flow from agricultural fields to stable outlets, such as rivers or reservoirs, without causing soil erosion. This will help to protect the farmland and enhance environmental health by improving water quality and supporting wildlife habitats.
5. Contour bunding: This involves creating small, raised embankments or bunds along the contour lines of a field. These bunds can help to capture and hold water in the field, reducing erosion and improving soil health. This technique is particularly useful for preventing erosion on sloping fields with light, sandy soils.

Challenges of contour farming 

Despite the  benefits of contour farming there are some issues that are faced during practicing  contour farming. Here is an overview of cons: 

1. Labour intensity and cost: Contour farming is labour intensive that often requires expenses as compared to other farming methods. As this includes the cost for maintaining bunds or ridges and marking contours, creating furrows. Although farmers need extra training for the implementation. 
2. Uneven water distribution: While contour farming aims to improve water retention, improper design or maintenance of furrows can lead to uneven water distribution across the field. Inadequate water management may result in some areas receiving too much water while others remain dry, negatively impacting crop yields.
3. Soil types and slope imitation: The ideal soil type for practising contour farming is moderate slopes (around 0.5% to 4.5%) with well-drained soils. If the lands are poor or slopes are damaged in shape then it may create difficulty in maintenance of the furrows and bunds.In such cases, additional soil conservation measures may be necessary.