Preserving green heritage

People of the Hani ethnic group in Yunnan province perform chorus during farming of a rice terrace, which is on the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. [PHOTO BY WANG KAIHAO/ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY]

An ongoing exhibition at the China Agricultural Museum in Beijing showcases farming techniques used through the ages, Wang Kaihao reports.

China has a long history of agriculture, but what is the legacy left by generations of Chinese farmers over the millennia?

When traveling across the countryside by train or bus, you have probably seen much of that heritage, though this may have hardly registered with you.

Now, an exhibition at the China Agricultural Museum in Beijing showcases these techniques and technologies, tangible or intangible, and explores their significance to modern society.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has so far chosen 91 agricultural practices from 28 provincial-level administrative regions for inclusion on the national heritage list, which was created in 2013. They are separated into nine categories, including ecosystem architecture, vegetable plantation, irrigation systems and animal feeding.

All the entries are showcased at the Exhibition of China's Important Agricultural Heritage Systems through pictures, texts, traditional farming tools, and of course fresh produce.

It is unprecedented to have such a comprehensive display covering the country's traditional agriculture, according to Liu Beihua, the director of the China Agricultural Museum.

"The exhibition shows our predecessors' understanding of natural rules, philosophies, and even sustainable development," says Liu.

"Today, people advocate an eco-friendly economy," she says, "so, it becomes important to showcase the wisdom hidden in these techniques, and remind people to better protect our agrarian culture."