Value-adding pathways for agricultural products in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems: evidence from the Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System, China

Introduction The development of ecologically and culturally significant agricultural products offers promising solutions for enhancing agricultural system sustainability and supporting traditional agricultural landscapes. This study focuses on agricultural products derived from Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), aiming to explore effective value-adding strategies that align with both food quality and sustainability goals. Methods This study proposes a conceptual framework rooted in value chain theory to establish value-adding pathways from production to consumption. The framework is applied to the Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System (QRFCS), a designated GIAHS site in China, through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews, with secondary data used for triangulation and supplementation. Results The results indicate that promising value-adding measures lie in the development of eco-agriculture and product certification at the production stage, primary processing at the processing stage, and packaging, labelling, and both online and offline marketing at the marketing stage. These measures are linked through defined pathways and supported by an actor interaction model that facilitates coordination among actors and enhances implementation efficiency. Discussion This study provides practical insights into how traditional agricultural systems can be integrated into modern markets while maintaining and leveraging their ecological and cultural significance.