Second ‘From Ziquejie Terraces to the World’ Global Farming Culture Conference Promotes Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Agriculture : What You Need To Know

Published on September 13, 2024

On September 12, Xinhua County in Loudi City, Hunan Province, hosted the Second “From Ziquejie Terraces to the World” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference. The event brought together over 200 guests, including representatives from international organizations such as 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 from both domestic and international sectors gathered to address pressing issues like global agricultural cultural heritage protection and the advancement of the green agricultural economy.

The conference aimed to promote the preservation and global promotion of farming culture, with a particular focus on Hunan’s innovative approach to safeguarding agricultural heritage. By sharing China’s unique solutions, the event contributed to the broader efforts of protecting global agricultural cultural heritage.

During the opening ceremony, a document titled “Consensus on the Integrated Development of Terraces in Agriculture, Culture, and Tourism” was introduced. This initiative promotes understanding the value of terraces, safeguarding their ecosystems, and preserving farming traditions. It calls for integrating agriculture, culture, and tourism, fostering international collaboration, and innovating development models. The ultimate goal is the sustainable development of terraces, building terrace-based industries, and achieving ecological, economic, and social benefits worldwide.

Terraced fields, such as the Ziquejie Terraces, stand as prime examples of 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 the result of the collaborative efforts of various ethnic groups, including the Miao, Yao, Dong, and Han peoples.

Loudi City looks to the future by continuing its efforts to protect agricultural cultural heritage, promote cultural preservation, and enhance the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. These initiatives aim to provide global models for “authentic protection, living use, and industrial integration.”