Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Agriculture has been a fundamental aspect of human life for thousands of years. Traditional agricultural systems have evolved over centuries, providing food security, preserving biodiversity, and promoting cultural heritage. However, modern agriculture practices have led to the loss of traditional systems and the biodiversity they support.

In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has initiated the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program to recognize and promote traditional agricultural systems that are unique, sustainable, and contribute to preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage. These systems have been developed over centuries and have sustained the livelihoods of millions of people around the world.

However, many of these systems are under threat due to various factors such as climate change, urbanization, and modernization. Therefore, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated the GIAHS program in 2002 to promote the conservation and sustainable use of these systems.

Need and Development of GIAHS

The concept of GIAHS was introduced by the FAO in response to the declining agricultural diversity and the loss of traditional knowledge and practices. It is designed to recognize, support, and promote the conservation and sustainable use of such systems.

The need for the GIAHS program is crucial to preserve traditional agricultural systems that are unique, sustainable, and play a significant role in preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage. The program has developed partnerships with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders to promote the preservation and development of traditional agricultural systems These systems have evolved over time through a process of trial and error and have developed unique methods and practices that are well-adapted to local conditions.

Traditional agricultural systems have developed over centuries and are well-adapted to local conditions. They are based on indigenous knowledge and practices that are closely linked to the culture and identity of local communities. However, many of these systems are under threat due to various factors such as urbanization, land-use change, and globalization.

The GIAHS program has been successful in raising awareness about the importance of traditional agricultural systems and has helped to promote their conservation and sustainable use. It has also provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among different stakeholders.

Benefits of GIAHS

The GIAHS program has numerous benefits, both for local communities and the global community as a whole. The following are some of the benefits of GIAHS −

• Conservation of Biodiversity − Traditional agricultural systems are often associated with high levels of biodiversity, which are important for maintaining ecological balance. By promoting the conservation of traditional agricultural systems, the GIAHS program helps to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

• Food Security − Traditional agricultural systems are often well-adapted to local conditions and can produce a wide variety of crops. By promoting the sustainable use of traditional agricultural systems, the GIAHS program helps to improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

• Cultural Heritage − Traditional agricultural systems are often closely linked to cultural heritage and social identity. By promoting the conservation and sustainable use of traditional agricultural systems, the GIAHS program helps to preserve cultural heritage and promote social identity.

• Sustainable Development − Traditional agricultural systems are often based on sustainable practices and can contribute to sustainable development. By promoting the conservation and sustainable use of traditional agricultural systems, the GIAHS program helps to promote sustainable development.

India’s Contribution to GIAHS

India has a long and rich history of traditional agricultural systems that have sustained the livelihoods of millions of people for centuries. These systems are well-adapted to local conditions and have developed unique methods and practices that are closely linked to the country's cultural heritage and social identity. India has contributed significantly to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program by identifying and nominating several traditional agricultural systems for recognition as GIAHS sites.

Some of the GIAHS sites in India include −

Saffron Heritage of Kashmir

The Saffron Heritage of Kashmir is a traditional agricultural system that has been recognized as a GIAHS site for its unique cultural, social, and ecological significance. The saffron fields of Kashmir have been cultivated for centuries and have played a vital role in sustaining the livelihoods of local communities. The system is based on traditional knowledge and practices, which have been passed down from generation to generation.

Kuttanad Wetland Agriculture System

The Kuttanad Wetland Agriculture System is a unique agricultural system in the state of Kerala that has been recognized as a GIAHS site for its cultural and ecological significance. The system is based on the cultivation of paddy fields in the wetlands of Kuttanad, which are below sea level. The system is known for its innovative practices, such as the use of Vembanad Lake water for irrigation.

Koraput Traditional Agriculture System

The Koraput Traditional Agriculture System is a traditional agricultural system in the state of Odisha that has been recognized as a GIAHS site for its ecological and cultural significance. The system is based on the cultivation of a wide variety of crops, including millets, pulses, and vegetables. The system is known for its traditional knowledge and practices, such as the use of organic fertilizers and the conservation of indigenous plant varieties.

Apatani Cultural Landscape

The Apatani Cultural Landscape is a traditional agricultural system in the state of Arunachal Pradesh that has been recognized as a GIAHS site for its unique cultural and ecological significance. The system is based on the cultivation of paddy fields, fish farms, and bamboo forests, which are interlinked in a complex agroforestry system. The system is known for its innovative practices, such as the use of fish farms for irrigation and the conservation of bamboo forests.

Implementation of GIAHS in India

The implementation of GIAHS in India has been spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, in collaboration with the FAO. The GIAHS program is being implemented in India through a multi-stakeholder approach, which involves the participation of local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions. The following are some of the key initiatives undertaken by the GIAHS program in India −

Capacity Building

• The GIAHS program in India has focused on capacity building for local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

• Capacity building initiatives include training programs on traditional agricultural systems, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and climate-smart agriculture.

Research and Documentation

• The GIAHS program in India has emphasized the need for research and documentation of traditional agricultural systems.

• Research initiatives include documentation of traditional knowledge and practices, identification of indigenous plant varieties, and study of agroforestry systems.

Conservation and Sustainable Use

• The GIAHS program in India has focused on promoting the conservation and sustainable use of traditional agricultural systems.

• Initiatives include the development of sustainable agriculture practices, promotion of eco-friendly farming methods, and conservation of biodiversity.

Policy Support

• The GIAHS program in India has also emphasized the need for policy support for the conservation and sustainable use of traditional agricultural systems.

• Policy initiatives include the integration of traditional knowledge

Conclusion

The GIAHS program currently includes 63 sites in 22 countries, including rice terraces in the Philippines, coffee forests in Ethiopia, and the high altitude agriculture in the Andes. For example, the rice terraces in the Philippines have been recognized as a model of sustainable agriculture and have been developed as a tourist destination, promoting rural development.

Similarly, the coffee forests in Ethiopia have been recognized for their contribution to biodiversity conservation, and efforts have been made to promote sustainable coffee farming practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many GIAHS are there in India?

Ans. India's three GIAHS are −

Odisha's Koraput Traditional Agriculture. Kerala's Kuttanad Below-Sea-Level Farming System. Saffron Heritage Pampore, Jammu & Kashmir.

Q2. What is GIAHS criteria?

Ans. The selection of GIAHS is based on a number of factors, including their significance for ensuring local food security, high levels of agro-biodiversity and associated biological diversity, wealth of indigenous knowledge and management systems' ingenuity, socio-cultural functions and diversity, and aesthetic values.

Q3. Who is the father of agriculture heritage?

Ans. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, an Indian agronomic, agricultural scientist, expert in plant genetics, administrator, and humanitarian, was born on August 7, 1925. Swaminathan is a pioneer of the green revolution on a worldwide scale.