Bench terracing
Bench
terracing transforms comparatively steep land into a series of leveled platforms
across the slope to reduce the slope length and subsequently the soil erosion.
This method is suitable for soils having
slopes 16 to 33%. A
piece of sloppy land is transformed into a series of benches by digging soil
from the top part and filling at the lower part of the terrace. Bench
terraces reduce both length and degree of slope and thus prevent soil erosion. Bench terraces provide permanent infrastructure
for the cultivation of crops like paddy, potato, oilseeds, vegetables in double
or multiple cropping annually. As a result, the productivity of the crop is
increased by almost two-fold. The runoff loss of water in this system may be
reduced to the extent of 8-13%. Besides, bench terracing reduces erosion
rate to less than 1tha-1 on 25% slope. The main drawback of this
technology is its high-cost involvement during its construction.