What is Strip Cropping? (Soil Conservation)

On a hillside farm, instead of growing one single crop across the entire slope (which allows rainwater to rush straight down and wash away the topsoil), the farmer divides the land into horizontal strips.

• Strip 1: A tall, dense crop like wheat or sugarcane.
• Strip 2: A low-growing grass or legume (like clover).
• Strip 3: Wheat again.
• And so on...

When rain falls, the dense grass strips act as natural barriers, slowing down the water before it can gain enough speed to wash away the soil.

1. Reduces Soil Erosion: The main purpose — prevents valuable topsoil from being washed away.
2. Improves Soil Fertility: Legume strips (like clover) fix nitrogen in the soil, naturally fertilizing the next crop.
3. Conserves Water: Slows runoff, allowing more water to soak into the ground.
4. Prevents Gully Formation: Stops small water channels from cutting into the land.

Both methods are used on slopes. In Contour Farming, the ploughing itself is done along the contour (height lines) of the slope. In Strip Cropping, alternating crop types are grown in strips across the slope.