Responding to common questions on the conservation of agricultural heritage systems in China

Abstract

Abstract:Although the urgency of their conservation has been recognized, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) designated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) since 2002 and China Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS) certified by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) of China since 2012 are faced with questions as to why to conserve them, what is to be conserved, who should conserve them, and how? This paper attempts to clarify and respond to such questions focusing on the conservation of agricultural heritage systems in China based on a review of both theoretical and practical progress. Agricultural heritage systems exhibit a multitude of values for sustainable and equitable development and therefore should be conserved for both present and future generations. Unlike most conventional heritages, the conservation of agricultural heritage systems is a complex, systematic "engineering" in which both physical and biological components and associated socio-cultural processes should be conserved in a dynamic way. Farmers and heritage sites must benefit from the continuance of traditional agricultural production under the premise of ecological functions being sustained and traditional culture being inherited. For a more effective conservation, a multi-stakeholder process should be established involving governments at different levels, multi-disciplinary scientists, communities and farmers, and business enterprises as well as social organizations. As has been demonstrated, the conservation of agricultural heritage systems aims to promote the regional sustainable development, to improve the livelihood, food security and well-being of farm people, and to provide references for the development of modern agriculture in China.

Greenway Implementation Influence on Agricultural Heritage Sites (AHS): The Case of Liantang Village of Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City, China

“…Sustainable tourism can in turn effectively protect the local heritage with appropriate development [14][15][16]. Eco-and agro-tourism have been proven to be viable means of maintaining biological diversity, supporting local communities and cultural heritage, and improving income and well-being [17][18][19][20]. However, tourism has two sides.…”

Rice Pricing during Organic Conversion of the Honghe Hani Rice Terrace System in China

“…The preference coefficient θ refers to local preferences to cultivate as farmers or to engage in other business, which can be expressed as: = / (5) wherein E refers to farmers' intention of income to maintain the GIAHS, when they have the opportunity to get the income of W from other business.…”

“…Further, some traditional agricultural systems of scientific, social, and cultural value are rapidly disappearing. Thus, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization initiated the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) dynamic conservation and adaptive management program to protect systems under threat [4,5]. To date there are 49 GIAHS across 19 countries.…”

Reviewing the Progress in the Identification, Conservation and Management of China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS)

“…Their exceptional ecological, social, cultural, scientific and demonstration values are of great importance for contemporary society [17].…”

“…It is comprised of four parts: application and identification, conservation and management, utilization and development, supervision and inspection, providing specific requirements for the implementation of these procedures. With the establishment of this document, the guidelines of "conservation in exploration, inheritance through utilization" and the principles of "dynamic conservation, sustainable development, multi-stakeholder participation, benefit sharing" have been built up for the management of agricultural heritage systems in China [17]. Besides, an annual working conference has been established, which provides a platform for different agricultural heritage sites to make exchanges and learn from each other.…”