Six ancestral systems across the globe have been added to the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The new systems include everything from pearl mussel farming in China to the utilization of volcanic fields in Spain. The additions bring the total number of systems awarded the GIAHS designation, maintained by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to 95, spanning 28 countries.
So-called GIAHS are defined by the FAO as unique agricultural landscapes and practices that demonstrate a close, sustainable relationship between people and their environment. According to FAO, GIAHS stand out as outstanding examples of adaptation to challenges and constraints, while shaping incredible landscapes and maintaining a harmonious relationship with nature. This has resulted in an accumulation of experience over generations, an increasing range and depth of knowledge and a complex and diverse range of closely integrated livelihood activities.
The six systems added this year include:
Erva Mate Agroforestry – Paraná, Brazil – In southern Brazil, Indigenous and local communities have cultivated erva-mate for centuries under the canopy of the endangered Araucaria Forest. This shade-grown agroforestry system blends food crops, native fruits, and forest products, while preserving cultural practices and biodiversity. Popularly consumed as chimarrão or tereré in South America, erva-mate symbolizes both ecological sustainability and regional identity. The system is a rare example of agriculture preserving forest cover in an area where only 1% of the original forest remains
Deqing Pearl Mussel Fishery – Zhejiang, China – In Deqing County, farmers have practiced an 800-year-old aquaculture technique, combining mussel farming with rice cultivation and silk production. The system produces pearls while naturally filtering pollutants like ammonia and nitrogen, making it an environmentally friendly form of aquaculture. More than 22,000 residents benefit from this integrated system, which also supports eco-tourism and environmental education.
Fuding White Tea Culture – Fujian, China – Home to the iconic Lüxueya tea tree, Fuding has nurtured a unique white tea production system for generations. This agroecological method includes tea gardens interspersed with forests, contributing to high biodiversity—including 18 tea varieties, 41 vegetables, 14 fruits, and various fungi and animal species. Deeply rooted in local rituals and craftsmanship, the system sustains rural communities and strengthens cultural connections to the land.
Gaolan Ancient Pear Orchards – Gansu, China – Along the Yellow River in Gansu, the Shichuan pear orchards thrive in a dry, erosion-prone region using a 600-year-old “Gaotian” planting method. These towering pear trees produce over 2 million kilograms of fruit annually and are part of a resilient dryland farming system. Integrated with crops and livestock, the orchards help conserve native species and sustain livelihoods through both traditional and processed pear products.
Metepantle Agricultural Terraces – Tlaxcala, Mexico – In Mexico’s Tlaxcala state, Indigenous Nahua communities maintain a 3,000-year-old terraced farming system, cultivating maize, agave, beans, and squash alongside wild plants. Known as Metepantle, this approach fosters seed conservation, climate resilience, and local food sovereignty. The system protects over 140 native species, including 40 types of maize, while promoting community-based conservation through seed fairs and ancestral traditions.
Volcanic and Sea Sand Farming – Lanzarote, Spain – On Spain’s Lanzarote Island, farmers have transformed harsh volcanic terrain into fertile farmland. Using techniques like “enarenado” (volcanic ash mulching) and “jable” (sea sand layering), they grow grapes, sweet potatoes, and legumes without irrigation in one of Europe’s driest climates. Spanning over 12,000 hectares, this system merges innovation with tradition, conserving biodiversity and supporting cultural heritage in a uniquely challenging environment.
You can explore all 95 GIAHS at the FAO’s website HERE. The Asia Pacific region has the most GIAHS with 61 so far in 10 countries and one territory. China, with 25 designated GIAHS, has the most in the Asia Pacific region and the world. Interestingly, there are no designated GIAHS in North America.
