New Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in Italy & Japan push global total of designated sites past 100 | FAO News

Rome – A former iron sand mine transformed into a terraced agro-silvo-pastoral system, a landscape of stone-walled citrus orchards in Japan, & an iconic Mediterranean terraced system on the steep coastal slopes of Italy are the latest additions to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), bringing the number of such sites to more than 100 worldwide in the year that FAO celebrates its 80th anniversary.

These systems were formally designated under the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) flagship programme during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group on August 26. With these three new additions, the global agricultural heritage network now includes 102 systems across 29 countries, with Japan reaching 17 sites & Italy adding its third.

These dynamic & resilient systems embody rich agrobiodiversity, traditional knowledge, invaluable cultures, & landscapes, sustainably managed by farmers, herders, fisherfolk, & forest communities in ways that support local livelihoods & food security.

“FAO is honoured to welcome these exceptional new sites into the family of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. Each site stands as a testament to the ingenuity & resilience of rural & agricultural communities, showcasing sustainable farming practices that have been carefully maintained & adapted through generations,” said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity & Environment at the FAO.

Lemon Orchards & the Terraced Agricultural System in Amalfi 

Perched on steep terraces of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, centuries-old farming communities have shaped a striking landscape of lemon groves, olive trees, & vineyards overlooking the sea. The iconic “Sfusato Amalfitano” lemon is grown under chestnut pergolas using manual techniques & harvested by so-called “flying farmers” — a term coined by the way they balance & walk along the pergolas during harvest.

Terraces built with dry-stone walls prevent erosion, stabilize the land, & help regulate water & temperature. This territory holds up to 800 lemon trees per hectare, yielding up to 35 tons using low-input, pesticide-free methods. It is also rich in biodiversity, with over 970 plant species, including rare Mediterranean flora.

Women play a key role, contributing to farm labour & traditions in this system. The terraced system is also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site, serving as powerful example of sustainable Mediterranean mountain agriculture.

The Stone Terraced Mikan Orchard System of Arida-Shimotsu Region, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

In the mountainous Arida-Shimotsu region of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, generations of farming families have cultivated mikan (Citrus unshiu) for over 400 years. This traditional system is built on stone terraced orchards, adapted to steep slopes & the region’s humid subtropical climate. The terraces maintain vital soil & water functions & support more than 30 mikan varieties adapted to local microclimates.

Rooted in small-scale family farming using time-tested methods, the system preserves traditional knowledge, biodiversity, & resilience to climate change. Traditional techniques & dry-stone walls help to regulate drainage, retain heat & prevent cold damage, while beekeeping, forestry, & intercropping with vegetables contribute to food security & economic resilience.

Festivals, culinary traditions, & stories associated with mikan varieties reflect the cultural practices & collective values in Arida.

Sustainable Water Management & Agricultural, Forestry, & Livestock System Readapted from Tatara Ironmaking in the Okuizumo Area, Japan

In Japan’s Okuizumo region, degraded soils from former iron sand mining were transformed into terraced rice fields nourished by centuries-old, community-managed irrigation canals. There, farmers developed a unique circular system combining rice cultivation, forestry, cattle grazing, & buckwheat farming that reuses local resources.

Central to this system is the role of Japanese Black Cattle, which provide both income through high-quality beef & supply manure to enrich paddy soils. Buckwheat, adapted to upland slopes, serves as a key cultural crop alongside rice & vegetables.

Despite challenges such as depopulation, the system remains resilient due to strong cultural ties, landscape stewardship, & locally rooted innovation.