Contour farming is the method of growing crops on sides of hills, mountains and steep slopes by planting on graduated terraces built into the slope. This method effectively reduce soil erosion and water loss and maximizes arable land area. In most of the systems the contours are low, flat ridge of earth built across the slope, with a channel for runoff water just above the ridge. In areas where soils are able to take in water and rainfall amount is relatively low, level terraces may be used to reduce soil erosion too.
