Which farming practice involves growing crops 'on the level' across a slope rather than up and down the slope?

• A. Contour Farming
• B. Terrace Farming
• C. Strip Cropping
• D. Alley Cropping

Answer: (A)

Growing crops along the land’s contours, across the slope, is contour farming. Plowing and planting perpendicular to the slope’s grade follows those contour lines, which slows water flow, increases infiltration, and helps prevent soil erosion. By cutting across the hill rather than straight up and down, each row acts like a small barrier to runoff, keeping soil in place and moisture in the ground.

Terracing creates flat, horizontal steps along the slope, which is a different approach to reducing erosion. Strip cropping alternates strips of different crops across the slope to interrupt runoff, not specifically by following contour lines. Alley cropping integrates trees with crops, focusing on windbreaks and nutrient cycling rather than contour alignment. So the description fits contour farming best.