Agricultural heritage conservation: new opportunity fordeveloping eco-agriculture

Due to advances in science and technology and intensive utilization of land, significant agricultural achievements have been attained at the expense certain eco-agricultural and environmental problems. It has also been noted that some traditional farming methods are uniquely advantageous in the adaptation to climate change, ecosystem services supply and environmental protection. Humans have realized the importance of protecting traditional agro-technologies, bio-resources and unique agro-landscapes. After nearly 30 years of practice and development, China’s eco-agriculture has achieved remarkable results. However, current eco-agricultural development was not entirely satisfactory mainly due to the following two reasons: 1) lack of further research and accountability on agro-ecosystem services functions; and 2) difficulty in obtaining remarkable economic benefits driven by lack of market-oriented guidance, scale management, specialized production and brand popularization of traditional autarkic peasant economy. At present, the development of present societies was not only new but also led to numerous new problems. The practice of agricultural heritage widened new visions and provided new resolutions to emerging issues. To promote further development of eco-agriculture, it was necessary to look for new understandings of multi-functional agriculture in relation to production, ecology and culture.