Sites in the Republic of Korea, Portugal & Tajikistan recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems | FAO News

Rome –  An integrated mountain agropastoral system in Tajikistan has become the first Central Asian addition to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, with a pine tree agroforestry system & traditional bamboo & fishery system in the Republic of Korea & an agrosilvopastoral system in Portugal also recognized. 

“As it extends to new regions & countries, the GIAHS network is once again demonstrating its distinctive role in showcasing agricultural systems that promote traditions nurtured by communities & ways of pursuing their livelihoods in harmony with nature,” said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity & environment at the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). “As we confront the climate crisis & loss of biodiversity, the contribution age old ways to build resilience & use biodiversity sustainably is all the more vital in transforming our agrifood systems to keep up with the challenges.”

The systems were formally designated under FAO’s flagship programme during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group held from 7 to 8 of July 2025. The newest additions bring FAO’s worldwide agricultural heritage network to 99 systems in 29 countries around the globe. Along with the first for Tajikistan, the newly designated systems take the number in the Republic of Korea to nine & in Portugal to two.

With rising interest from across the globe the GIAHS designations are set to exceed 100 by the time a Certificate Award Ceremony will take place on 31 October in the context of FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations. 

Uljin Pinetree Agroforestry System, Republic of Korea 

Farming communities in this eastern area of the country have developed a unique pine-based agroforestry system adapted to mountainous terrain & coastal climates. For generations, red pine forests (Pinus densiflora) have been co-managed with beekeeping, mushroom foraging, dryland farming, & traditional salt production.

Its pine forests support over 300 species, including wild edible plants, fungi, & pollinators vital to ecosystem health. The forest structure protects against erosion, regulates microclimates, & stabilizes mountain slopes.

Pine forest management involves traditional techniques such as resin tapping, fire prevention through undergrowth clearing, & selective thinning to improve forest health.

Traditional Jukbangryeom Fishery System in Jijok Straits, Republic of Korea

In the tidal waters of Korea’s Jijok Straits, the Jukbangryeom system uses bamboo fish weirs to harvest anchovy without fuel, bycatch, or habitat damage. Practiced for centuries, it reflects traditional ecological knowledge & a semi-agricultural coastal lifestyle. This low-impact system sustains biodiversity, livelihoods, & cultural identity in harmony with fish migration.

Local fishers use a Passive trap system with fixed structures placed perpendicular to tidal flow to guide fish into holding chambers. The technique, involving high selectivity, has a history of at least 500 years of documented use.

The system supports small-scale fishers, local markets, anchovy drying industries, & women-led processing cooperatives. It coexists with marine life without disrupting migration routes, breeding grounds, or seabed ecosystems.

Montado Agrosilvipastoral System of the Serpa Hills, Portugal

The Montado da Serra de Serpa, located in southern Portugal, stands out as one of Europe’s oldest agrosilvopastoral systems, where cork & holm oak woodlands are managed with remarkable ecological awareness. Through low-intensity & extensive grazing, dryland farming, & forest stewardship, communities have shaped a multifunctional landscape that conserves biodiversity, sustains rural economies & embodies a Mediterranean model of climate resilience & land restoration. 

The system is home to rich wild fauna with over 120 bird species, forests mushrooms, & threatened species such as the Iberian lynx & black vulture.

Tree cover reduces erosion, enhances water retention, & stores carbon in soils & biomass. The woodlands are integrated with cereals, legumes, pastures, beekeeping, & extensive grazing of sheep & goats, generating income from cork, meat, honey, herbs, mushrooms, & nature tourism.

It has been recognized within the EU as a High Nature Value farming system, a designation given to low-intensity agricultural landscapes that support high biodiversity & contribute to climate & conservation goals. 

Almosi Valley integrated agropastoral system adapted to mountain conditions, Tajikistan

This integrated agropastoral system combines seasonal transhumance of sheep with the cultivation of grapes, cereals, orchards, & vegetables across harsh mountain landscapes. Shaped over centuries, it supports food & livelihood security, conserves agrobiodiversity, & preserves cultural heritage. Rooted in ancestral knowledge, it sustains resilient communities facing soil erosion, water scarcity, & climate variability.

The valley hosts diverse ecosystems & a wide range of crops & livestock, including landraces of wheat, barley, & vegetables, & the local Hisori sheep. The Pink Toifi grape is central to the valley’s identity, valued for its quality & processed into raisins, syrup (shirini), juice, & wine.

Farming is guided by ancestral practices, including contour planting, organic fertilization, the Muchal calendar, guiding agriculture based on environmental cues, & ancient irrigation methods to conserve water.

Community management is coordinated through mahalla (neighbourhood) committees, family farms, cooperatives, & collective farms, ensuring knowledge transmission, shared resource use, & cultural continuity.