In Guangzhou's bright spring, cherry, peach and pear are in full bloom in Haizhu Wetland on the southern bank of the Pearl River, while lychee, wampi, carambola and longan trees in leafy profusion.
When enjoying the enchanting spring scenery and urban landscapes, you may not know that Haizhu Wetland is far beyond "the lung of the city". Beneath it, there lies a thousand-year-old agricultural cultural heritage dubbed as "Guangdong Haizhu High Bed-Low Ditch Farming System", which is a witness to the wisdom of ancient farmers as well as prosperous suburban agricultural trade.
Opened up fields in the river
Dating back to Qin and Han dynasties, the farming system was invented for dry farming, adaptable to Guangdong's hot and humid climate.
To cope with the uncertain water level of the Pearl River, people separated the river from the land by building fences before dividing the land into small pieces. Then deep ditches were dug into the earth to store water and raise fish while extra mud was laid top on two sides of the ditches forplantingfruits and vegetables.
Efficient as it is, the system has fed the region for thousands of years, carving out distinctive waterside villages here. Moreover, its harmonious integration with nature over the past 2,000 years has contributed to Haizhu Wetland's rich biodiversity, home to 630 species of vascular plants and 583 kinds of animals.
Ancient farming system's modern value
As modern agriculture is flourishing, "it has gradually become part of the city's ecological regulation system, where most of the fresh air residents in Guangzhou breathe comes from," according to Prof. Zhaofei from South China Agricultural University.
"It is especially rare to have such a 1,100-hectare agricultural system in a metropolis like Guangzhou," Prof. Zhaofei stated. It is also a pity that the system is treated merely a channel of the city's air circulation without exerting its production function.
In recognition of this, protection measures have been laid out from academic to governmental levels, hoping to inject ancient wisdom into modern world. In 2021, the system was included into the list of important agricultural cultural heritage of China, which means that a complex of related farming techniques, agricultural products, customs and more cultural activities were put under national key protection.
Last year, local government formulated a 10-year work plan from 2021 to 2030 to systematically preserve and develop the heritage. With priority given to bringing its production function to life, the plan aims to protect and inherit the traditional farming methods, folk customs and traditional culture in accordance with ecological civilization development strategies.
The construction of a demonstration area for the cultural heritage's protection and utilization has also been launched in the Haizhu Wetland. "All forces will get engaged in it from government, enterprises, experts to social efforts," an official of Haizhu's agricultural and rural affairs bureau introduced.
Now we can anticipate that, maybe next spring we will be able to taste and purchase fragrant lychee locally grown from the cultural heritage site, and have an encounter with some brilliant ancient agricultural wisdom.
Presented by GDToday & Nanfang Rural Newspaper
