Answer :
The Inca Empire, which flourished in the Andean region of South America from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, is known for its remarkable agricultural practices. The Incas adapted their farming methods to suit the challenging mountainous environment they inhabited. Here are some of the ways they achieved this:
By building terraces on mountain slopes: To make steep mountain slopes suitable for agriculture, the Incas constructed agricultural terraces. These terraces resembled steps on mountain slopes and were built by flattening areas of land and reinforcing them with stone walls. This method not only prevented soil erosion by reducing runoff but also helped retain moisture and create microclimates suitable for various crops.
By building raised fields surrounded by canals: In the lowland regions, particularly in areas that were prone to flooding, the Incas developed raised fields known as 'Warus' or 'Waruwarus.' They elevated sections of farm plots by digging canals around them, which acted as water reservoirs that helped manage excess rainfall and provided irrigation during dry periods.
By building aqueducts to water their crops: The Inca civilization was adept at managing water resources, which was crucial in the often dry Andean climates. They constructed extensive networks of aqueducts and irrigation canals to divert water from mountain streams and rivers to arable lands. This engineering ingenuity ensured a reliable water supply for their crops.
By building floating gardens on lakes: While this method is more commonly associated with the Aztecs, the Incas were also known to employ innovative agricultural techniques suited to their environmental context.
Ultimately, option 1, 'By building terraces on mountain slopes,' is a key method the Incas used to adapt their farming practices to their environment. This allowed them to maximize agricultural output despite the challenging terrain and significantly contributed to the sustenance of their civilization.
