An Analysis on Crops Choice and Its Driving Factors in Agricultural Heritage Systems—A Case of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces System

A significant decline in the cultivation of red rice, a traditional crop, within the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces System (HHRTS) has been linked to modern agricultural practices and tourism development. The study, conducted through surveys and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), identified hybrid rice, corn, and fruit as the dominant crops, with red rice accounting for only 12.04% of cultivated land. The research revealed that the choice between hybrid rice and red rice is influenced by factors such as household ethnicity, farmland altitude, labor productivity, family size, and yield per unit area. These findings underscore the need for targeted policies to encourage red rice cultivation, thereby preserving the cultural and ecological integrity of this UNESCO-recognized site.

Yang, L., Liu, M., Lun, F., Yuan, Z., Zhang, Y., & Min, Q. (2017). An Analysis on Crops Choice and Its Driving Factors in Agricultural Heritage Systems—A Case of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces System. Sustainability, 9(7), 1162. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071162