What farming technique is primarily used to improve soil moisture retention and reduce erosion on slopes?

Contour farming is specifically designed to address challenges associated with soil moisture retention and erosion, particularly on sloped landscapes. This technique involves plowing and planting across the slope of the land, rather than up and down, which helps to create natural barriers that slow down water runoff. This not only allows more time for water to infiltrate the soil but also reduces the speed of water flow, thereby minimizing soil erosion.

By aligning the farming practices with the natural contours of the land, contour farming effectively enhances moisture retention within the soil. This is particularly important in preventing the loss of topsoil and maintaining the fertility necessary for healthy crop growth. The method is particularly useful in hilly or mountainous regions where conventional farming might lead to greater soil degradation.

Other techniques, while beneficial in various aspects of agriculture, do not directly target both soil moisture retention and erosion control in the same manner. For example, row cropping focuses on planting in straight rows, which can lead to increased runoff on slopes. Crop rotation is primarily aimed at improving soil nutrients and pest management, while cover cropping is more about soil health and preventing erosion but does not have the same direct effect on slopes as contour farming does.