The document provides an overview of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). It defines GIAHS as remarkable land use systems that are rich in biological diversity and have evolved through the co-adaptation of communities with their environments and needs over long periods of time. The document outlines the criteria for GIAHS designation, including contributions to food/livelihood security and maintenance of biodiversity. It also discusses threats facing these systems and strategies for dynamic conservation, as well as recent developments in GIAHS, such as new designated sites and regional workshops.

1. Globally Important
Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean
Yoshihide ENDO
GIAHS Coordinator
FAO
April 27 2016
Mexico City

2. GIAHS
Concept, Background, Strategy,
Procedure and Achievement

3. Remarkable land use systems and landscapes
which are rich in globally significant biological
diversity evolving from the co-adaptation of a
community with its environment and its needs and
aspirations for sustainable development
GIAHS Definition
1

4. "Remarkable land use systems and landscapes
which are:
1. rich in globally significant biological diversity;
2. evolving from
2-1: its environment and its needs and
with
2-2: aspirations for sustainable development
GIAHS Definition (cont.)
2
the co-adaptation of a community

5. For a long period of time, communities of farmers and
herders have developed locally adapted ingenious
agricultural systems that have led to food and livelihood
security as well as the maintenance of natural and
cultural diversity.
3

6.  Famers had to establish complex and innovative land
use/management practices due to：
(a) geographic isolation:
(b) fragile ecosystems:
(c) limited natural resources:
(d) extreme climate conditions
 Famers developed a strategy to minimize risks
by planting several species/varieties of crops;
4
Backgrounds of Remarkable/Unique Agricultural Systems

7. Remarkable/Unique Agricultural Systems
5
Food and livelihood security
Biodiversity and ecosystem function
Knowledge systems and adapted
technologies
Cultures, value systems and social
organizations
Remarkable landscapes, land and
water resources management features
Farmers Long
Term Efforts
Specific and
Unique Agricultural
Systems

8. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION OF GIAHS
1. Food and livelihood security
The proposed agriculture system should contribute to food and livelihood security of
local communities.
2. Biodiversity and ecosystem function
Agricultural biodiversity and genetic resources (species, varieties & breeds), as well
as other biodiversity such as wild relatives, pollinators and wildlife associated with
the agricultural system and landscape.
3. Knowledge systems and adapted technologies
Maintain invaluable knowledge, ingenious technology and management systems of
natural resources, etc.
4. Cultures, value systems and social organizations (Agri-Culture)
Cosmo-vision, value systems and agri-cultural practices associated with environment
and agricultural calendar; festivities and rituals as knowledge transfer.
5. Remarkable landscapes, land and water resources management features
Landscape features resulting from human management 6

9. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION OF GIAHS (CONT.)
Historic relevance
1. The contribution of the agricultural system/site to;
(1) the domestication and development of agricultural biodiversity;
(2) the creation of valuable landscapes;
(3) the development of agricultural knowledge and technologies over
generations;
(4) human, social and cultural development in general.
2. Whether the system/site has remained sustainable and has shown
its resilience in the face of environmental and socio-economic
changes over time.
7

10. CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION OF GIAHS (CONT.)
Contemporary relevance
1. The contemporary relevance is established by its capacity;
(1) to provide food and livelihood security:
(2) to contribute to human well-being and quality of life:
(3)to generate economic and environmental goods and services
2. This criterion relates to the relevance of an agricultural
system/site to global or national policy and sustainable
development challenges, most prominently achieving food security,
human well-being and environmental goals, such as climate adaptation,
carbon sequestration, water, land and biodiversity conservation.
Under this criterion one should highlight particular lessons
learnt or principles that can be derived from the system site,
which might be applied elsewhere. 8

11. However these systems are threatened by;
 Population pressure and social, cultural and economic changes
 Neglect of diversified systems and local knowledge under
modernization
 Low community involvement in decision-making
 Inappropriate policy, legal and incentive frameworks
9
Dynamic Conservation
Designation of
GIAHS

12. Dynamic Conservation
The GIAHS Initiative is not to “freeze” agricultural systems
in time but instead stimulate dynamic conservation,
emphasizing balance between conservation and socio-
economic development.
Action Plans for Dynamic Conservation
• Research for factors threatening sustainability of the GIAHS
• Workshop, seminars to enhance awareness of the significance of
the GIAHS site
• Regulations to restrict new development plans in the GIAHS site
• Policies to promote environmental friendly agriculture and
conservation of agricultural biodiversity
• Payment scheme for eco-service
• Encouragement of cultural activities/ local tourisms
Farmers and
Local
Communities
Policy
Makers,
Civil
Society,
Academia
10

13. Dynamic Conservation
beyond Simple Conservation
The values of service and agricultural products
provided by farmers in the GIAHS site should be
appropriately evaluated and fully utilized.
Opportunities for Economic Development
 Agritourist/Ecotourism
 Branding of local agricultural products
 Payment for environmentally friendly agriculture
 Promotion of local gastronomy and traditional
culture 11

14. Monitoring and Evaluation
In order to know how the action plans for dynamic
conservation are implemented, monitoring and
evaluation are very important;
Feed back to Dynamic Conservation
Monitoring of the Implementation of the Action Plans
Evaluation of the current state of the GIAHS
 Revision of the action plans
 Acceleration of implementation of action plans
12

15. 1. Dissemination of the key practices/technologies/
experiences of a GIAHS site to other agricultural
production areas in the same country or to other
countries;
2. Formation of policy measures to promote sustainable
agricultural production based on lessons learned
from GIAHS sites
13
Further Beyond Dynamic Conservation:
What GIAHS should ultimately aim at.

16. GIAHS and Sustainable Development
 GIAHS contributes to sustainable development
through (para. 12 in COAG/2014/12);
a) promoting mainstreaming of heritage systems through policy and
regulatory reforms and support for systemic and institutional capacity-
building at national level;
b) dynamic conservation and sustainable management of outstanding
traditional agricultural systems through enhancement of conducive
agricultural policies and regulations and through support for an integrated
approach, capacity building of local institutions and empowerment of local
communities;
c) improving awareness and education among government agencies, local
authorities and communities, and other stakeholders;
d) demonstrating linkages between local livelihood benefits and global
environmental benefits through agro-ecosystem approaches across
government agencies, local communities, indigenous peoples and the
private sector; and
e) disseminating key best practices and lessons among implementing agencies,
recipient communities and countries in order to enhance and sustain the
overall impact: locally, regionally and on a global scale. 14

17. GIAHS initiative;
• was conceptualized and launched by FAO in
2002 at the occasion of World Summit on
Sustainable Development in Johannesburg
South Africa
• has successfully implemented its objectives
and targets through extra budgetary funded
projects.
15
GIAHS Initiative

18. Extra Budgetary Projects
Project/Fund Implementing countries
GEF Algeria, China, Chile, Peru, Philippines, Tunisia
GEF Morocco
Germany Kenya, Tanzania
IFAD Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia
Turkey Azerbaijan, Turkey
Self-fund India, Japan, Korea etc.
Japan UAE, Oman etc.
China South-South cooperation, Twinning
16

19. In order to provide systematic support to the conservation and adaptive
management of agricultural heritage systems, the GIAHS Initiative
promoted intervention strategies at three distinct levels:
 Global level
Facilitating international recognition of the concept of GIAHS
 National level
Mainstreaming of the GIAHS concept in national sectoral and inter-
sectoral plans and policies (regulatory and incentive mechanisms) and
using them as sustainability benchmark systems
 Local level
Empowerment of local communities and technical assistance for
sustainable resource management, promoting traditional knowledge
and enhancing viability of these systems through economic
incentives
Strategy and Approach
17

20. GIAHS contributes to the achievement of FAO
Strategic Objective in the following way.
Strategic Objective 2 (SO2)
“Increase and improve provision of goods and services
from agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a sustainable
manner”.
GIAHS also contributes to other Strategic Objectives
such as “Eradication of Hunger (SO1)”, “Reduction of
Rural Poverty (SO3)”
GIAHS in the FAO mandate
18

21. GIAHS as a FAO Corporate Programme
 FAO Conference in June 2015 approved Program
for Work and Budget (PWB) 2016-2017 which;
• Recognized GIAHS as one of eight higher
priority areas of work;
• Allocated FAO regular budget to support the
Secretariat of the programme on GIAHS (P5 and
G4 post)
19

22. International Steering Committee (ISC)
 ISC served as the management body of the entire GIAHS activity;
 The ISC was composed of representatives of national focal point or
national institutions of FAO member countries and other
International organizations
 Ceased its function at the end of 2015
Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
 The Scientific Advisory Committee was composed of experienced experts;
 The responsibility of the SAC was to provide technical advice to the ISC
and the Secretariat on GIAHS selection and dynamic conservation;
 Ceased its function at the end of 2015.
GIAHS Secretariat
The Previous GIAHS Governance Structure
20

23. New GIAHS Governance Structure
Committee on
Agriculture(COAG)
Scientific Advisory
Group
GIAHS Secretariat
• Seeking COAG (September 2016) to endorse the new governance
structure
• Simultaneously, the current regulations, rules, procedures, and
templates should be reviewed and where necessary, revised
accordingly and additional rules and procedures should be elaborated
for smooth and systematic implementation of GIAGS programme.
21

24. Designated sites as of February 2016
24
1 Rice-fish Culture (CHN)
2 Chiloé Agriculture (CHL)
3 Andean Agriculture (PER)
4 Ifugao Rice Terraces (PHI)
5,6,7 Oases of the Maghreb Region (TUN, ALG, MAR)
8.9 Maasai Pastoral Heritage (KEN, TAN)
10 Shimbue Juu Kihamba Agroforestry（TAN）
11 Dong’s Rice Fish Duck System (CHN）
12 Hani Rice Terraces(CHN）
13 Wannian Traditional Rice Culture (CHN）
14 Saffron Heritage of Kashmir (IND）
15 Sado’s Satoyama in harmony with Crested Ibis（JPN） 26 Jiaxian Traditional Chinese Date Gardens (CHN)
16 Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi (JPN) 27 Xinghua Duotian Agrosystem (CHN)
17 Pu’er Traditional Tea Agrosystem (CHN) 28 Fuzhou Jasmine and Tea Culture System (CHN)
18 Aohan Dryland Farming System (CHN） 29 Qanat Irrigated Agricultural Heritage Systems, Kashan (IRI)
19 Traditional Agricultural Systems, Koraput (IND） 30 Traditional Gudeuljang Irrigated Rice Terraces in Cheongsando (KOR)
20 Kuaijishan Ancient Chinese Torreya (CHN） 31 Jeju Batdam Agricultural System (KOR)
21 Urban agricultural heritage – Xuanhua grape garden (CHN） 32 Al Ain and Liwa Historical Date Palm Oasis (UAE)
22 Managing Aso Grasslands for Sustainable Agriculture (JPN） 33 Floating Garden Agricultural System (BAN)
23 Traditional teg-grass integrated system in Shizuoka (JPN） 34 Ayu of the Nagara River System (JPN)
24 Kunisaki Integrated Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries System (JPN） 35 Minabe-Tanabe Ume System (JPN)
25 Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System (IND） 36 Takachihogo-Shiibayama Mountaious Agriculture and Forestry System (JPN)
22

25. Courtiers Preparing for GIAHS Proposals
 The countries who recently submitted their proposals
• Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Vietnam
 The countries preparing for their proposals
• Egypt, Oman, Laos, Mongolia, Morocco
 The countries preparing for domestic arrangements
• Brazil, Mauritania
 The countries which have contacted Secretariat
• A few European counties
23

26. Case 1: Ifugao rice terrace in the Philippines
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 Ingenious technology to form rice terrace in steep mountainous area with
effective management of other resources (forest, upland field, water)
Case 2: Rice-fish culture in China
 Ingenious practices to promote mutual supporting system
 Increased rice price and tourists

27. Case 3: Ghout system Algeria
25
Case 4: Chiloe Island Agriculture
Case 5: Andean Agriculture

28. Case 6: Shimbwe Juu Kihamba Agro-forestry Heritage Site
26
The Upland Agro-forestry system in the Northern Tanzania
Case 7: Noto Satoyama/Satoumi system

29. Recent Development

30. Development in 2013
 The GIAHS International Forum held May 2013 in Noto
Peninsula, Japan adopted “Noto Communique”
GIAHS Noto Communique
The recommendations:
1. the progressive designation of further GIAHS sites to promote the
conservation of agricultural heritage and its contributions towards global
food security and economic development
2. promotion of on-the-ground projects and activities, particularly in
developing countries
3. the existing GIAHS to support the recognition of candidatures of GIAHS
areas in less developed countries
4. promote the twinning of GIAHS sites between developed and developing
countries.
27
 Regional Workshop for Asia and the Pacific was held by
FAORAP in November 2013

31. Development in 2014
 Joint Meeting of Steering/Scientific Committee in April
- Two Korean, three Chinese and one Iranian site were designated.
 The First High Level Training on GIAHS in Beijing in September.
 The Third APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security (September)
The Beijing Declaration on APEC Food Security, paragraph 19
"We agree that APEC should promote rural development policies that enhance the
economic, social and cultural wellbeing of communities and support FAO’s work
on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. We recognize that we
should promote the public understanding and awareness of agricultural heritage
systems and share successful stories of management on agricultural heritage and
typical models of rural development.“
 The 24th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (October)
GIAHS was discussed.
28

32. Development in 2014 (Cont.)
 The International Workshop on GIAHs for the Islamic countries in
November in FAO (in collaboration with ISESCO)
 Strengthening collaboration with CBD and UNESCO
- GIAHS contribution to regional capacity building workshop for
Africa held by CBD (Nairobi, Kenya in March)
- GIAHS contribution to 1st European Conference for the
Implementation of the UNESCO-SCBD Joint Programme on
Biological and Cultural Diversity (Florence, Italy in April)
- Side event at CBD COP 12 (Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea,
October)
29

33. Development in 2015
 The Second Regional Workshop for Asia and the Pacific was held
by FAORAP in May
 The Second Conference for East Asia Research Association for
Agricultural Heritage Systems (ERAHS) was held in June in Sado
City, Niigata, Japan
 FAO Conference in June approved its Program for Work and Budget
(PWB) 2016-2017
- The Conference endorsed GIAHS as FAO corporate programme
by allocating staff costs for the GIAHS Secretariat under
regular budget.
 The Second High Level Training on Globally Important Agricultural
Heritage Systems in September in China
30

34. Development in 2015 (Cont.)
 Joint Meeting of the Steering and Scientific Committee
was held (December) .
− The last session under the old scheme;
− Three Japanese sites, one Bangladesh site were designated;
− Guidelines on the process for designation and certification of
GIAHS was discussed and agreed.
− Agenda Items were as follows;
• Agenda item 2; Guidelines on the processes for the designation and
certification of GIAHS
• Agenda Item 3: Review/discussion of the challenges GIAHS has been facing,
including the need for establishment/revision of criteria, working procedures
and methodologies in the GIAHS designation process, to strengthen the
overall process
• Agenda Item 4: Designation of new GIAHS sites
31

35. • Regional Imbalances of the designated GIAHS sites
• More sustainable financial resources to support GIAHS
• Response to increasing number of interested countries
- Global project, national project, South-South corporation, twining of
sites to assist member countries to identify their GIAHS sites and make
qualified proposal document
• Active collaboration among sites
- Promoting the twinning of GIAHS sites between developed and
developing countries declared in ‘Noto Communique’
• System for monitoring and evaluation of the already designated GIAHS
• Establishment of the GIAHS Registration which incorporates all the
information on the designated GIAHS sites in a systematic way
Challenges
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36. Gracias mucho!
Thank You!