Traditional farming methods from two Korean islands have received international recognition.
Earlier
this April, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) included
the terraced rice paddies of Cheongsando Island in Wando County,
Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province),
gudeuljang non in Korean, and the volcanic black stone fences found on Jejudo Island,
batdam,
on its list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
(GIAHS), announced the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Terraced rice paddies, or gudeuljang non, are found on Cheongsando Island. (photo courtesy of Wando County)
Terraced rice paddies,
gudeuljang non,
are mostly found on Cheongsando Island. They are built in
less-than-ideal agricultural terrain that contains many stones and which
lacks an abundance of water. Farmers place flat and shallow stones,
gudeul,
on a layer of gravel, which lets the water flow through. They put mud
on the flat stones to firm up the surface in order to prevent water from
leaking. They then put rice paddies on a layer of soil on top.
Using
this traditional system, farmers can make the best use of water for
agricultural purposes, as the water can flow from the higher rice
paddies down toward the lower paddies. This water "stream" helps
preserve the ecosystem of the rice fields and maintains the biological
diversity of plants and animals in the surrounding area. This type of
rice paddy got its name from Korea’s traditional
ondol heating system, which used flat stones or
gudeul to warm the home.
The above photo shows the layers of
the terraced rice paddies of Cheongsando Island. Farmers build a layer
of gravel covered with flat stones, allowing the water to flow through
it. They then build a layer of soil on top where they grow the rice.
(photo courtesy of Wando County)
As well as the terraced
rice paddies, the volcanic black stone fences of Jejudo Island have been
included in the FAO's list. They are called Jeju
batdam or simply
batdam
in Korean. Residents of the volcanic island made the stone fences to
protect the soil and agricultural produce from the strong winds and from
the attention of animals, such as horses or cows. The Jeju
batdam
help the residents maintain agricultural activities over many seasons
as the volcanic black stone fences help to maintain the moisture of the
rice fields, despite the lack of water on the island. According to
research from the Jeju Special Governing Province, there are some 22,000
square kilometers of land enclosed by volcanic stone walls on the
island.
The terraced rice paddies were recognized for the
unprecedented ingenuity people applied to their traditional farming
methods. The Jeju
batdam also received recognition for similar
characteristics and for the efforts which people went to using stones to
overcome the barren environment of the island.
The Jeju volcanic rock walls, or batdam, can be found all across Jejudo Island. (photo courtesy of the Jeju Self Governing Province)
The
agriculture ministry explained that the FAO recognizes long-term
efforts and traditional farming methodologies which overcome unfavorable
natural environments and allow people to continue tilling the land.
The
FAO maintains the GIAHS list in order to preserve unique farming
systems, biodiversity and traditional farming knowledge. As of the end
of 2013, a total of 265 agricultural assets from 11 countries were on
the GIAHS list. Among others, these assets include Andean agriculture
systems of Peru and Massai pastoralist heritage sites in Kenya.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
[Source: korea.net]