Review of Rice–Fish–Duck Symbiosis System in China—One of the Globally Important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

Abstract

The Chinese rice–fish–duck symbiosis system is one of the globally important agricultural heritage systems, with a history of nearly a thousand years. It embodies the wisdom of the Chinese ancestors and has huge comprehensive value, which has extremely important references for the sustainable development of agriculture. The technological core for the rice–fish–duck symbiosis system lies in the selection of rice, fish, and duck varieties and the coupling of agricultural operation time. In the process of modern agriculture, many varieties with high comprehensive benefits have also been applied to the rice–fish–duck system, and the rice–fish–duck model has been further developed. What is worrying is that the transfer of rural labor, the promotion of modern agricultural technology, the low degree of marketization and industrialization, the weakening of cultural awareness, and the change in climate have posed huge threats and challenges to the traditional Chinese rice–fish–duck system. The protection and development of the system are urgently needed. Therefore, we recommend delimiting active protection areas, establishing scientific research bases, improving relevant systems, developing rural tourism markets, and innovating farming technology, which also provide guidance for protecting and developing other agricultural cultural heritages.