FAO announced the addition of two new sites in Japan to the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), FAO’s flagship programme that serves as a key tool for promoting sustainable agriculture and revitalising and developing the distinctive features of rural communities.
Sustainable fishing
Located near Kyoto, the Biwa Lake to Land Integrated System focuses on traditional fisheries that emerged along with rice paddy cultivation. In addition to being a unique environment, the area stands out for its social system, which a thousand years ago integrated agriculture and fishing, providing autonomy to local fishermen and a sustainable use of resources.
A traditional fruit-growing area
The Kyoutou region has developed a unique system of manual cultivation throughout its long fruit-growing history. This site is considered the birthplace of Japanese grape cultivation, with at least 800 years of history, and is also noted for the cultivation of peaches, persimmons, apricots, Nashi pears, apples and chestnuts.