Terraces

Terrace Farming


 * Terrace farming** allows people to utilize the sides of rocky mountains and hills (areas that are unfit for farming) and use them to grow crops that require lots of water (run-off water from the mountains) [7]. A **terrace** is a piece of cultivated land that is leveled horizontally on the sides of mountains or hills which makes it easier to harvest and grow crops rather than on a slope [7]. The technology arose initially from the need for more areas to cultivate, areas that could also overcome the problems of water supply, erosion of the soil and unstable climate [4]. By slowing down the process of soil erosion, the people of Peru can use terrace farming in order to be able to grow their crops on the land for a longer period of time. Also, due to terrace farming, the selection of seeds and planting calendars were able to acclimatize plants from the valley to areas that were higher up in the Andes [4]. When seen from a far away or sky view, they look like stairs or steps [3]. One of the greatest examples of the use of terrace farming in Peru is Machu Pichu. The great civilization of the Incas combined the technique of terrace farming with the use of aqueducts and canals to maximize the production of food [2]. They also situated them so they recieve the most sunlight during the day [4]. And even today the people of Peru that live in the //sierra// use them because they are so successful [7].