FAQ: Why is Terraced Land Used for Tea Production?

Why is Terraced Land used for Tea Production?

What is terrace farming?

People around the world have come up with suitable methods for each kind of farming because, as you know, traditional methods do not work in hilly areas where rice and tea are harvested. Farmers have introduced terrace farming methods for the land that is too steep and hilly areas specifically. This method is actively practiced in cultures of Peru, Japan, China, Mexico, the Mediterranean, East Africa, and Yemen.

In traditional farming, the land is cleared from any trees or bushes, making the surface flat for farming grains or vegetables. Such a farming method does not work on steep areas as it creates landslides and erosion. Erosion is a process in which soil wears off due to wind or water, and without the trees and other vegetation to slow down the process, the land becomes infertile soon. During the rainy season, rainfall brings significant erosion to the steep land as water is less resistant when going downhill, it brings soil down too with itself and away from farmland. Moreover, a de-vegetated hill is also prone to land sliding and can ruin a year’s worth of crop and make the land harder to farm again in the future.

Due to all the unstable conditions and issues, it is quite necessary to use terrace farming in the hilly areas. In terrace farming, the slope is turned into a level benched out steps by moving soil and making retaining walls. The terrace is usually 2-3m wide and 50-80m long. The sloped area’s reconstruction allows the hillside to become stable for farming crops such as wheat, barley, olives, coffee, tea, and rice. Such a structure slows down the erosion during rainfall as the terrace only has one outlet to let the water drain to the terrace below. Each terrace slows down the water speed and prevents any soil from washing away from the rainwater.

Why is terraced land used for tea production?

For tea production, hilly areas are chosen because it needs cold weather and high elevation with sloped terrain. Farming in the hilly area needs special techniques, and terraced farming is specified for tea production. It carefully traps water and fertile soil due to constructed terraces and prevents erosion, mud sliding, and supports growing crops that are in need of irrigation.

If you plant the tea seeds on a low altitude and clean surface, it will take almost three years to flourish.