On September 12, 2024, the picturesque Xinhua County in Loudi City, Hunan Province, played host to the Second ‘From Ziquejie Terraces to the World’ Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference. This event brought together a diverse group of over 200 participants, including representatives from international organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as well as diplomats from terrace-cultivating countries like France and Peru.
Experts in agriculture, culture, and tourism, both from China and abroad, gathered to address critical issues surrounding the protection of global agricultural cultural heritage and the advancement of a greener agricultural economy. The conference aimed to foster global awareness and promote the preservation of farming culture, with a particular focus on highlighting Hunan’s innovative approach to safeguarding agricultural heritage. Through sharing China’s unique solutions, the event contributed to the broader efforts of protecting global agricultural cultural heritage.
During the opening ceremony, a significant document titled ‘Consensus on the Integrated Development of Terraces in Agriculture, Culture, and Tourism’ was introduced. This initiative underscores the importance of understanding the value of terraces, safeguarding their ecosystems, and preserving farming traditions. It calls for a holistic approach to development, advocating for the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. The document also emphasizes the need for international collaboration and the development of innovative models for sustainable development.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to ensure the sustainable development of terraces, building terrace-based industries, and achieving ecological, economic, and social benefits for communities around the world. Terraced fields, exemplified by the renowned Ziquejie Terraces, are a testament to human ingenuity in harmony with nature. They embody rich agricultural traditions and play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, ensuring food security, and promoting regional development.
The Ziquejie Terraces, recognized as both a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, are a product of the collective efforts of various ethnic groups, including the Miao, Yao, Dong, and Han peoples. Loudi City, looking towards the future, continues its efforts to protect agricultural cultural heritage, promote cultural preservation, and enhance the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. These initiatives aim to establish global models for ‘authentic protection, living use, and industrial integration’, ensuring the sustainable development and cultural legacy of terraced landscapes worldwide.
