Hani Rice Terraces
A traditional agricultural system of the Hani people in Yunnan, China, based on terraces that distribute water by gravity for rice cultivation. It integrates forests, villages, and farmland, promoting efficient water use, soil conservation, and biodiversity. It is recognized by FAO as a GIAHS and by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Country:
They are a traditional agricultural system developed by the Hani people in the mountains of Yunnan Province, China. They consist of a network of stepped terraces built along mountain slopes for rice cultivation, using gravity to distribute water from upland forests to the fields. The system sustainably integrates forests, villages, terraces, and water sources, conserving soil, optimizing water use, and maintaining high biodiversity. Due to their cultural, environmental, and agricultural value, the Hani Rice Terraces are recognized by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) and by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Water Use efficiency
Main theme:
Asian
Region:
1400 - 1800
Precipitation (mm):
High
Application difficulty:
2, 6, 11, 13 and 15
SDGs impacted:
Gravity
Energy used:
70 - 90
Efficiency (%):
Rural
Sector:
y a la adaptación frente al cambio climático.
Soil conservation by reducing erosion on slopes, efficient water use through gravity-fed distribution, and protection of water sources. In addition, the system promotes biodiversity conservation by integrating forests, channels, and terraces within the same landscape, improves water infiltration and regulation, and contributes to carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation.
Expected environmental impact:
$5000 - $15000 / ha
Estimated value:
1- https://agris.fao.org/search/en/records/65dfc3174c5aef494fe52fa4 2- https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/giahs/PDF/Hani_Rice_Terraces.pdf 3- https://www.fao.org/giahs/around-the-world/detail/china-hani-rice-terraces/en 4- https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/275948/ 5- https://www.fao.org/agroecology/in-action/detail/format-for-proposals-of-candidate-systems-for-the-globally-important-agricultural-heritage-systems-%28giahs%29-programme-hani-rice-terraces-system-china/en
Links of interest: