Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) expands with the addition of six new sites across the globe; China dominates with a total of 25 designated sites.

Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) expands with the addition of six new sites across the globe; China dominates with a total of 25 designated sites.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has acknowledged the rich cultural and ecological significance of three Indian agricultural systems, adding them to the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). These systems, located in Odisha, Kerala, and Kashmir, showcase centuries-old farming practices that harmoniously blend nature and culture.

In the Koraput region of Odisha, highland subsistence paddy cultivation thrives, nurturing an impressive array of indigenous rice varieties. This region, with its focus on sustainable agriculture, is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of traditional farming practices.

The Kuttanad farming system in Kerala, meanwhile, demonstrates an extraordinary below-sea-level agricultural model. This system integrates paddy cultivation, coconut gardens, and fisheries in wetlands, creating a unique and intricate ecosystem that supports both agriculture and aquatic life.

The Saffron Heritage of Kashmir, the third Indian GIAHS, showcases traditional saffron cultivation methods. Intercropping and organic farming practices are the norm here, resulting in a high biodiversity landscape featuring 18 tea varieties, 41 vegetables, 14 fruits, and various fungi and animal species.

These Indian GIAHS systems are more than just agricultural marvels; they are deeply rooted in local rituals and craftsmanship, sustaining rural communities and strengthening cultural connections to the land. For instance, the Saffron Heritage of Kashmir symbolizes both ecological sustainability and regional identity, as the saffron produced here is popularly consumed in various forms, such as chimarrão or tereré in South America.

The FAO's GIAHS programme celebrates such systems as living examples of human ingenuity, where farming supports both nature and culture. By recognising these systems, the FAO aims to promote sustainable agriculture, conserve biodiversity, and safeguard cultural heritage worldwide.

India is not alone in this endeavour. The GIAHS network now comprises 95 systems across 28 countries, with China leading the list with 25 recognised systems. Other countries, such as Brazil, China, Mexico, and Spain, have also recently had six new GIAHS systems added to the list.

In Brazil, for example, indigenous and local communities have been cultivating erva-mate under the canopy of the endangered Araucaria Forest for centuries. This shade-grown agroforestry system blends food crops, native fruits, and forest products, providing a rare example of agriculture preserving forest cover in an area where only 1% of the original forest remains.

Similarly, in Fuding, China, a unique white tea production system has been nurtured for generations, with tea gardens interspersed with forests. This system also produces pearls while naturally filtering pollutants like ammonia and nitrogen.

In Deqing County, China, an 800-year-old aquaculture technique combines mussel farming with rice cultivation and silk production. Meanwhile, in Lanzarote Island, Spain, farmers have transformed volcanic terrain into fertile farmland using techniques like "enarenado" and "jable", growing grapes, sweet potatoes, and legumes without irrigation in one of Europe's driest climates.

These systems, like those in India, are rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. They serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving our agricultural heritage for future generations, while also providing valuable lessons in sustainable agriculture and conservation.

[1] India Today [2] The Hindu [3] The Times of India [3] FAO [4] The Economic Times [5] India Today [6] The Hindu [7] FAO [8] The Times of India

1. Environmental-science students studying sustainable agriculture may find the traditional farming practices in the three Indian Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in Odisha, Kerala, and Kashmir a fascinating example of how food-and-drink production can harmoniously coexist with nature and culture.
2. The innovative combinational agriculture systems in Brazil, China, and Spain, such as the erva-mate cultivation under the Araucaria Forest, white tea production, aquaculture technique, and "enarenado" and "jable" farming on volcanic terrain, illustrate how technology can be employed in food-and-drink production while preserving the environment and cultural heritage, a topic of interest in science and lifestyle studies.

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