Define contour ploughing

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Detailed Solution

Contour ploughing is a farming method in which ploughing is done along the natural contours of the land to prevent soil erosion.

Instead of ploughing up and down slopes, farmers plough across the slope. The furrows act like barriers, slowing down the flow of rainwater and reducing the washing away of fertile soil. This method is especially useful in hilly and mountainous regions.

Advantages

Prevents soil erosion by controlling water runoff.
Increases water infiltration into the soil.
Maintains soil fertility for better crop yields.
Reduces loss of topsoil and nutrients.

Method	Description	Effect on Soil
Traditional ploughing	Done up and down slope	Causes soil erosion
Contour ploughing	Done along natural slope lines	Prevents soil loss

Real-Life Example

Contour ploughing is widely practiced in countries with uneven terrain like India, Nepal, and Kenya. It is often combined with terracing for better conservation.

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