agriculture review
by aditya abhishek
It is an agricultural practice where sloping land is converted into a series of flat platforms, resembling steps or terraces for cultivating crops.
Primarily, rice, wheat, maize millets, vegetable crops like potatoes, tomatoes, and leafy greens, fruit crops like apples, oranges, and peaches are cultivated on terraces.
Step farming is an ancient & effective agricultural technique that has been used for centuries in various parts of the world to ensure food supply in hilly regions.
In India, step farming is primarily practiced in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, etc.
Uttarakhand is the largest Pear (0.788 lakh MT), Peach (0.579 lakh MT), Plum (0.362 lakh MT) and Apricot(0.282 lakh MT) producing state in India.
Himachal Pradesh has become the largest producer of high quality wild marigold essential oil (4 tonnes per year) & is one of the major apple producing state in India.
Heavy rains or improper terrace design can lead to erosion of soil, maintaining the terrace is labor-intensive, heavy machines can not be used & it is not suitable for all crops.
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