THE FUTURE OF GIAHS
The year 2022 marks GIAHS’ twentieth anniversary, a celebration that would not have been possible without the many generations of people that have lived in harmony with nature around the world.
Terraced fields are created in mountainous areas. Water channels are constructed in dryland areas. Lands are elevated to fight against floods in wetland areas. Organic fertilizers made from straw and the manure of farm animals are applied in the field. Forests are maintained around agricultural fields to facilitate rainwater availability. Such agroforestry areas also maintain biological diversity, which supports pest control.
Agricultural systems may have very different characteristics, but they share an important social significance to their communities. Maintaining the systems requires continuous collaboration within farming communities, and this is reinforced through local festivals and other cultural activities.
Today, keeping traditional agricultural systems alive is more challenging than ever before. Young people are opting to live in the cities, leaving the future of these systems in doubt. For the past twenty years, FAO has supported traditional systems through its GIAHS programme, helping farmers to conserve knowledge and skills while protecting biodiversity and improving livelihoods. We are fully committed to continue our support for these agricultural systems – and to expand them significantly – well into the future.
Chair of Scientific Advisory Group for GIAHS at FAO Professor, University of Tokyo
As an institution but also as individuals it is our duty to preserve and safeguard the values of agricultural heritage around the world, so that future generations can witness its prominent features and benefit from its potential to assure livelihoods, food security and a healthy environment.
Yoshihide Endo Programme Coordinator of the GIAHS Secretariat at FAO