agroecology and the globally important agricultural heritage systems (giahs)
TRANSCRIPT
Agroecology and the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS):
How can innovative systemic approaches contribute to sustainable development?
Yoshihide Endo
GIAHS Coordinator
FAO
FAO, Malaysia Room, 23rd March 2017
I. Conceptual Analysis of GIAHS and
Agroecology
Definition
What is GIAHS?
Remarkable land use systems and landscapes
which are rich in globally significant biological
diversity evolving from the co-adaptation of a
community with its environment and its needs
and aspirations for sustainable development
Application of ecological principles and concepts to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystem.
Agroecology
Definition
GIAHS Definition Reviewed with Agroecology
Remarkable land use systems and landscapes
which are rich in globally significant biological
diversity evolving from the co-adaptation of a
community with its environment and its needs
and aspirations for sustainable development
Agroecology can be one of the major approaches
Main
Elements
for Agroecology
Main
Concepts
for Agroecology
Food and livelihood security
Agro-biodiversity
Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
Cultures, value systems and social organizations
Landscapes and Seascapes Features
Farmers’ Attempts for Overcoming Difficulties
GIAHS
Selection
Criteria
Fragile Ecosystems: Limited Natural Resources:
Extreme Climate Conditions: Geographic Isolation
Disadvantageous
Conditions
Farmers’ Wisdom for Skillful Resource Uses
=GIAHS
GIAHS Designation Criteria and Agroecology 1. Food and livelihood security
The proposed agricultural system contributes to food and/or livelihood
security of local communities.
2. Agro-biodiversity
Agricultural biodiversity, as defined by FAO as the variety of animals, plants
and micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and
agriculture, including crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
3. Local and Traditional Knowledge systems
Maintain local and invaluable traditional knowledge, ingenious adaptive
technology and management systems of natural resources, including biota,
land, water which have supported agricultural, forestry and/o
4.Cultures, value systems and social organisations
Cultural identity and sense of place/Social organizations, value systems and
cultural practices associated with resource management and food production
5. Landscapes and Seascapes Features
GIAHS sites represent landscapes or seascapes that have been developed over
time through the interaction between humans and the environment, and appear
to have stabilized or to evolve very slowly.
Main Elements for Agroecology
In GIAHS, many local/traditional
knowledge are based on
agroecology
Main Elements for Agroecology
Main Elements for Agroecology
II. Overview of GIAHS sites from
Agroecological Perspectives
Designated GIAHS sites
Countries Name of sites/systems Year
Algeria 1. Ghout System (Oases of the Maghreb) 2011 Bangladesh 2. Floating Garden Agricultural Practices 2015 Chile 3. Chiloé Agriculture 2011
China
4. Rice Fish Culture 2005 5. Wannian Traditional Rice Culture 2010 6. Hani Rice Terraces 2010 7. Dong’s Rice Fish Duck System 2011 8. Pu’er Traditional Tea Agrosystem 2012 9. Aohan Dryland Farming System 2012 10. Kuajishan Ancient Chinese Torreya 2013 11. Urban Agricultural Heritage – Xuanhua Grape Garden 2013 12. Jiaxian Traditional Chinese Date Gardens 2014 13. Xinghua Duotian Agrosystem 2014 14. Fuzhou Jasmine and Tea Culture System 2014
Egypt 15. Dates production System in Siwa Oasis 2016
India
16. Saffron Heritage of Kashmir 2011 17. Koraput Traditional Agriculture 2012 18. Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System 2013
Iran 19. Qanat Irrigated Agricultural Heritage Systems, Kashan 2014
Japan
20. Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi 2011 21. Sado’s Satoyama in Harmony with Japanese Crested Ibis 2011 22. Managing Aso Grasslands for Sustainable Agriculture 2013 23. Traditional Tea-grass Integrated System in Shizuoka 2013 24. Kunisaki Peninsula Usa Integrated Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries
System 2013
25. Ayu of the Nagara River System 2015 26. Minabe-Tanabe Ume System 2015 27. Takachihogo-Shiibayama Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry System 2015
Kenya 28. Oldonyonokie/Olkeri Maasai Pastoralist Heritage 2011 Morocco 29. Oases System in Atlas Mountains (Oases of the Maghreb) 2011 Peru 30. Andean Agriculture 2011 Philippines 31. Ifugao Rice Terraces 2011
Republic of Korea
32. Traditional Gudeuljang Irrigated Rice Terraces in Cheongsando 2014 33. Jeju Batdam Agricultural System 2014
Tanzania 34. Engaresero Maasai Pastoralist Heritage Area 2011 35. Shimbue Juu Kihamba Agroforestry Heritage Site 2011
Tunisia 36. Gafsa Oases (Oases of the Maghreb) 2011 UAE 37. Al Ain and Liwa Historical Date Palm Oases 2015
Designated GIAHS sites in the World
Egypt(1)
Northern Upland Agro-forestry system is characterised by a
structural diversity as a strategy adopted by farmers to
achieve higher efficiency of resource use by efficiently
harvesting solar energy and using soil nutrients and
moisture.
GIAHS Designated Sites
Case1: Shimbwe Juu Kihamba Agro-forestry Heritage Site: The Upland Agro-forestry system in the Northern Tanzania
Case1: Shimbwe Juu Kihamba Agro-forestry Heritage Site:
Source: Hemp, A., Biodiverse Conserve (2006) 15: “The banana forests of Kilimanjaro
Biodiversity and Conservation of the agroforestry system of the Chagga Home garden
Case 2:Maasai Pastoral system-Kenya and Tanzania
Ingenious local traditional knowledge includes;
Types of grass and trees to be used for feeding different kinds of
animals (cattle, sheep, goat, etc.)
Effective management of pastures and water resources as well
as animals
Lives and movement of wild animals
Animal Breeding
Case 3:Rice-fish culture in China
Unique method to combine plant production and aquaculture
Case4: Floating Garden Agricultural System in
Bangladesh
Remarkable ways to overcome challenges of natural environment and
to use available land and water resources
Case 5: Honghe Hani rice terraces System in China
Ingenious technology to shape rice terrace in steep mountainous area
with effective management of relevant resources (forest, upland field,
water)
Ecological landscape out of the mountains
Mosaic of socio-ecological production systems referred to as Satoyama, terrestrial-
aquatic landscape ecosystems comprising secondary woodlands, plantations,
grasslands, farmlands, pasture, irrigation ponds and canals, and satoumi, marine-
coastal ecosystems comprising seashore, rocky shore, tidal flats and seaweed
/eelgrass beds.
Case 7: Noto Satoyama/Satoumi system
Case 6: Oasis Agriculture in Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, UAE
Case 8: Chiloe Island Agriculture
Case 9: Andean Agriculture
Case 10: GIAHS Proposal under Evaluation process:
Zhejiang Huzhou Mulberry-dyke & Fish-pond system
Conclusion
From the review of concept and actual cases, GIAHS
has many elements to share with agroecology.
In many GIAHS sites, local farmers have adopted
remarkable agroecological approaches which have
been time-tested and been maintained for many
generations.
In a way, GIAHS can be expressed as successful
showcases of agroecological approaches with global
value.
These systems are threatened by;
Population pressure and social, cultural, environmental and
economic changes
Accelerated process of Urbanization
Neglect of diversified systems and local knowledge
Low community involvement in decision-making
Inappropriate policy, legal and incentive frameworks
Designation as
GIAHS
Dynamic
Conservation
What GIAHS aim at?
The GIAHS is not to “freeze” agricultural systems in time.
But GIAHS stimulate dynamic conservation, emphasizing
balance between conservation and agricultural/social-
economic development of the GIAHS site.
Action Plan should
be made for Dynamic
Conservation
Farmers,
Local Communities
Policy Makers,
Private Sector,
NGOs,
Academia
Dynamic Conservation
Implementation
of Measures in
Action Plan
Monitoring of its
Impacts
Evaluation
Correction
Maintenance of the
Core Elements
of GIAHS
Adaptation and
Social/Economic
Development
Capacity and Legal/Financial infrastructure to implement action plan effectively:
Well designed and coordinated action plan:
Well disseminated GIHAS concepts and highly recognized value of GIAHS
Basic Conditions for Effective Impelmentation Action Plan
1. Awareness Enhancement of the Value of GIAHS sites
Workshop, Study Tour, Seminar, Public Relation
Making Educational Materials and School Student Visit
2. Regulations to control new development in the site
Zoning policies for specific agricultural areas
3. Improvement of Tenure Situations in the site
4. Better Resource Management Establishment of Monitoring/Analysis System of Land and Water Resources
Restoration of Farm Land, Irrigation systems, Water Channel, terraces
Investment for more effective use of resources
Measures to prevent soil degradation, to improve soil quality
5. Agrobiodiversity, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable use Development of new varieties based on traditional varieties Promotion of in situ conservation of endemic species
Possible Measures for Dynamic Conservation
6. Technical Support to increase productivity/quality/profits Introduction of high value crops Good agronomic practices based on traditional knowledge Quality Improvement Inclusion of modern technologies where compatible with traditional methods
7. Sales Promotion of the Products
Marketing Strategy including branding, labelling
Development of Niche-market
Establishment of value-chain
8. Payment scheme for eco-service (in compliance with relevant international rules)
9. Promotion of agro-tourism/cultural activities/local cuisine
10. Enhanced participation of Rural residents in decision making
11. Empowerment of women in the rural community
12. Promotion of Ecological Production
Possible Measures for Dynamic Conservation
1. Global extension of GIAHS concepts and GIAHS sites
2. Promotion of Monitoring and Evaluation of GIAHS sites
3. Scientific Analysis of the GIAHS sites (through
collaboration with academia and research institutes)
4. Dissemination of Lessons Learned in the GIAHS sites
to other areas;
• Good agricultural practices and Remarkable traditional knowledge
• Successful Cases of Action Plan Implementation
Future Development of GIAHS
Thank you for your attention.