Farming

The Inca invented terrace farming, where flat land is created by building steps on the side of a mountain. This was great for irrigation. Instead of rainwater running down the mountainside, the Inca channeled it through each step.

A large amount of the Inca's terraces still exist. Most of these are around Machu Picchu, the central location of their civilization. Since no mortar was used, the Inca's ancient cities are a phenomenon. After hundreds of years, these stones lie so perfectly fitted together that it is impossible to insert a knife blade between them. Terraced fields, some of more than 50 “steps,” still climb the mountain-sides today. Long stone causeways show that irrigation was massive.

Another type of farming used in South America is subsistence farming. This type of farming gives people only enough food for their family; they grow everything they need. Typically, the whole family works hard in farming; there are few if any farm machines. Farms tend to be small, an average of no more than two to three acres. The farmer must get a small land area to produce the highest possible yields.

If there is a surplus (extra crops), farmers use this to sell or trade with others for things they may need.

One of the advantages of terrace farming is that it can protect the terraced area's soil from rapid erosion. Erosion happens when moving water strips away soil from the area over which it is flowing. Terracing, by reducing the length of the slope the water has to run over, slows the flow of water. This protects the soil in the area from being carried away during rushing water or a rainstorm.

Another advantage of terracing is that it creates flat spaces for crops and canals for water to flow between these areas. Water collected in the terraces can then be absorbed into the soil (if the soil is suitably permeable) and sustain crops.

A benefit of subsistence farming is that you only grow enough for you and your family's needs. You do not have to worry about massive amounts of land to take care of. In subsistence farming, families are capable of raising crops in one year. A large farm might take years in order to harvest any crops. Also, subsistence farmers typically don't use fertilizers or genetic modification on their crops.

One major disadvantage of terracing is rainwater saturation of the ground. Since the mountainside isn't sloped anymore, the rain can't run-off. This happens when terracing retains too much water, which is absorbed into the ground. The problem with ground saturation is that it can lead to water overflow during periods of heavy rains.

Terraces that are not properly maintained can lead to mudslides, the creation of deep ditches and increased soil erosion, particularly in sandy soils or on extremely steep terrains. Terracing also has been shown to reduce soil quality through the draining of important nutrients from the soil in some areas.

Subsistence farming takes place on a small amount of land, this land tends to get over-used and lacks nutrients. People will then move frequently using up different areas of land for farming that doesn't give the land a break to recover the loss of nutrients.

Subsistence farmers are also very reliant on rain. Commercial farmers can afford irrigation systems, which subsistence farmers cannot.

Read more by click on the image to the right.

Possible solutions to subsistence farming problems:

• Provide training for subsistence farmers so they can improve their yield. In areas such as:

  • • how to provide better irrigation

    • new and improved technologies to harvest

    • better supplies and animals to increase the time that crops are harvested