Why Contour Ploughing is key to Sustainable Farming on Slopes

16 Apr, 2025

On mountainous or sloped ground, soil erosion becomes a major issue for farmers. Strong rain can wash away the rich topsoil, rendering the ground useless and the surroundings damaged. This is where the age-old yet incredibly useful method known as contour ploughing finds use. 

Apart from the simple change in conventional ploughing techniques, it provides long-term advantages for the farmer's output as well as the surroundings. Let's see why contour ploughing is key to sustainable farming on slopes. 

What is Contour Ploughing?

Contour ploughing, or contour farming, is a technique of ploughing across a land's slope rather than up and down. The hill's contours, characterised by furrows, ridges, and depressions, impede water movement and facilitate soil absorption. 

It aids in retaining water and prevents the erosion of nutrient-rich soil. Advanced tractors like Mahindra Arjun 555 DI are useful in contour ploughing in hilly regions, making the work of farmers easier and faster. 

Soil Erosion: A Major Threat

The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that erosion causes the annual loss of over 24 billion tons of rich soil worldwide. According to recent estimates, nearly 115 to 120 million hectares of India’s total geographical area are affected by soil degradation.

Sloping terrain greatly adds to this total. On slopes, traditional ploughing techniques could aggravate the situation by raising erosion rates by up to 50% relative to contour ploughing.

Why Should Contour Ploughing Matter?

Contour ploughing transforms farmers working on slopes in the following ways:

1. Reduces soil erosion

Contour ploughing can help to lower soil erosion by 50 to 60%. The horizontal furrows slow down rainwater as speed bumps and provide more time for absorption into the earth. It maintains the topsoil undamaged and retains ground fertility.

2. Increases water retention

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research found that contour ploughing increases water absorption by 20%, hydrating crops. It is crucial in rain-dependent farming areas where monsoons are vital.

3. Promotes agricultural production

Contour farming is better for hilly regions as it helps maintain soil moisture and lowers erosion. Contour ploughing increases crop output in mountainous regions by around 10 to 20%,

4. Budget-friendly practice

You don't need fancy machines or high-tech gear for contour ploughing. For small and marginal farmers, this is a budget-friendly and super-effective way to go, especially since you can use modern farming tools.

5. Reduces environmental damage

Contour farming helps keep fertilisers and pesticides from messing up nearby water supplies by reducing runoff. It helps to protect aquatic habitats downstream and keeps biodiversity in check.

Contour Ploughing: A Move Towards Handling Climate Challenges

More tragedies, like the Odisha flood, are happening because of climate change, which makes sustainable farming methods necessary. In precision agriculture, contour ploughing saves water, improves soil management using tractors like Sonalika Tiger DI 65 4WD CRDS, and evens out trends of changing rainfall. 

Not only a conventional method, contour ploughing is a scientifically supported, environmentally friendly sloped agricultural alternative. Contour farming is a basic but effective instrument on the road towards sustainable agriculture as governments and agricultural institutions drive for environmentally friendly methods.

How is Tractor Gyan Raising Awareness About Sustainable Agriculture?

Tractor Gyan writes articles and publishes videos on different environmentally friendly agricultural practices. We also teach Indian farmers about soil protection for long-term agricultural growth.

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