Farmers usually use plows to prepare their fields for planting crops. Plows cut into the ground, and lift up weeds, and other unwanted plants. However, plowing is blamed for causing severe damage to topsoil by removing the plants that protect soil from being blown or washed away.
Many farmers in South Asia are now trying a process called Low Till Farming. Low Till Farming limits the use of plows. In this method of farming, seeds and fertilizer are put into the soil through small cuts made in the surface of the ground. Low Till Agriculture leaves much or all the soil and remains of plants on the ground. They serve as a natural fertilizer and help support the roots of future crops. They take in rain and allow it to flow into the soil instead of running off. It has been proved that Low Till Farming increases harvests and reduces water use, and this method reduced the need for chemical products because there are fewer unwanted Plants.
Scientists say Low Till Farming is becoming popular in South Asia, which is facing a severe water shortage. They say the area will become depended on imported food unless water is saved through methods like Low Till Farming. Currently, more than 150 million people in South Asia depend on local rice and wheat crops. Farmers grow rice during wet weather. During the dry season they grow wheat in the same fields. Farmers are using the Low Till method to plant wheat after harvesting rice. Scientists say Low Till Agriculture is one of the best examples in the worlds of technologies working for both people, and the environment.
参考中文译文
通常情况下，农民为种庄稼做准备都要先犁地。犁耙翻开土地，别除杂草和其他不想要的植物。犁地除了可以保护土壤不被风吹走或被水冲走的植物，犁地也引起了对表层土的严重破坏而受到指责。
现在南亚的许多农民正在尝试一种称为“低耕农业”的耕作方式。“低耕农业”限制了犁耙的使用。按照这种耕作方法，种子和肥料通过地表的小沟进入土壤中。“低耕农业”保留了大量或者所有的土壤，和地表存有的全部植物。它们成了天然养料，支持将来所种庄稼的根系。它们吸收雨水，让水流入土壤而不会流失。“低耕农业”增加了产量，减少了用水，这种方法还减少了对化学物的需求，因此不被人们接受的植物更少了。
科学家说“低耕农业”在南亚正变得盛行，因为那儿面临着严重的水资源不足。科学家说这个地区将依赖进口食品，除非运用像“低耕农业”这样的方法节约水资源。目前，在南亚有超过1.5亿人依靠当地的稻米和小麦。在旱季他们在相同的土地上种小麦。农民在收获了稻米后用“低耕农业”种小麦。科学家说“低耕农业”是世界上最好的说明科技既造福于人类，也使环境受益的例子。