A mushroom growing area in China has been formally recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. The site was designated during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group taking place in Rome this week, just days after the flagship program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) marked its 20th anniversary.
The selection criteria stipulate that sites must be of global importance, have value as a public good, supporting food and livelihood security, agro-biodiversity, knowledge systems, social values and culture as well as outstanding landscapes.
Located in the high mountains of eastern China’s Zhejiang province, the Qingyuan Forest-Mushroom Co-culture System (QFMCS) is based on mushroom cultivation going back thousands of years. It is an agroforestry system which focuses on the cyclic use of resources, including a unique forest and mushroom co-culture technique. The forests provide a growing environment and nutrients for edible fungi, which accelerate the decomposition of organic matter in the forests. The decomposition of dead wood in turn increases the nutrients in the forests.
According to government statistics, local farmers derive nearly half their income from mushrooms and the various other products of the QFMCS, making it an important livelihood source.
Source: nationaltribune.com.au
