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 <i/>gudeuljang non, are found on Cheongsando Island. (photo courtesy of Wando County)

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)

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 <i/>batdam, can be found all across Jejudo Island. (photo courtesy of the Jeju Self Governing Province)

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]