The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Terrace farming is an agricultural technique used on hilly or mountainous terrain where slopes are cut into a series of receding flat platforms or "steps." This method is primarily designed to prevent soil erosion and manage water runoff to make cultivation possible on steep gradients.Statement 1 is Correct: To ensure water retention, particularly for wet crops, the outer edges or sides of each leveled plot are often raised using earthen or stone bunds. This creates a basin effect that physically contains water within the terrace.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Terrace farming is highly beneficial, not detrimental, to rice cultivation. Rice (paddy) requires standing water to grow. This method is the primary agricultural practice enabling rice cultivation in hilly regions (e.g., Northeast India, Southeast Asia) by converting slopes into water-holding fields.
Statement 3 is Correct: The combination of leveling the slope and raising the plot edges stops the rapid runoff of rainwater or irrigation water. This allows water to stand (stagnate) in the field, creating the submerged conditions necessary for paddy cultivation.
Key Takeaway: Terrace farming modifies slope topography to minimize surface runoff and maximize water retention, making it the essential method for cultivating paddy (rice) in mountainous areas.