By Abbas Nazil
A growing movement across Europe and Central Asia is drawing attention to the importance of protecting traditional agricultural landscapes for their role in sustaining biodiversity, strengthening rural livelihoods and supporting resilient food systems, according to a publication by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The report highlights that many of these long-standing farming systems are being recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, a designation that acknowledges their contribution to sustainable agriculture, cultural heritage and environmental conservation.
Across the region, traditional landscapes such as mountain terraces, pastoral grasslands, historic vineyards and salt-harvesting areas reflect centuries of interaction between local communities and the natural environment.
These agricultural systems have evolved through generations of farmers, pastoralists and fishers who adapted their farming methods to local climates, geography and natural resources.
The practices developed within these communities have created landscapes rich in biodiversity and deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge passed down over time.
However, experts warn that these heritage agricultural systems are increasingly under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and the gradual decline of rural populations.
As younger generations migrate to urban areas and modern intensive agricultural models expand, many traditional farming practices risk disappearing along with the knowledge that sustains them.
Agricultural heritage systems represent dynamic landscapes shaped by the long-term relationship between people and nature.
They combine biodiversity conservation, resilient ecosystems, cultural traditions and community livelihoods while also contributing to food security and sustainable agricultural production.
Over centuries, these systems have demonstrated their ability to adapt to climate variability through practices that maintain agricultural biodiversity and reduce environmental risks.
Their accumulated knowledge and land-management strategies are increasingly recognized as valuable resources for shaping national and global policies related to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Recognition as a GIAHS site provides traditional and family farming communities with support to safeguard their agricultural heritage while adapting to the pressures of globalization.
It also encourages governments to incorporate agricultural heritage into national development strategies and policies aimed at strengthening rural economies and conserving biodiversity.
Across Europe and Central Asia, several landscapes have already been recognized as GIAHS sites, with more agricultural systems being identified as strong candidates for future designation.
Regional efforts to promote agricultural heritage have been strengthened through a roadmap introduced for the 2022–2025 period, which aims to help countries identify, conserve and promote these traditional farming systems.
The roadmap also supports biodiversity conservation while encouraging local economic development linked to heritage agriculture.
Currently, fifteen agricultural systems in the region have officially received recognition as GIAHS sites.
A significant milestone was reached in July 2025 when the first GIAHS site in Central Asia was designated in the Almosi Valley of Tajikistan.
The valley hosts a complex agropastoral system that has developed over more than three thousand years.
Farmers and herders in the valley practice diversified agriculture combined with seasonal livestock grazing, creating a balanced system that supports ecosystems and local livelihoods.
One notable traditional crop cultivated in the valley is the Pink Taifi Grape Hisori, which contributes to food security and agricultural biodiversity in the region.
Community governance structures in the valley also play a crucial role in managing land resources and preserving cultural traditions associated with farming and pastoral life.
Several other agricultural landscapes across the region demonstrate strong potential for future recognition under the GIAHS initiative.
In Azerbaijan, agricultural systems that combine mountain and lowland farming help maintain soil fertility while supporting biodiversity.
In Moldova’s Lower Dniester Valley, traditional vineyards, orchards and walnut groves continue to preserve indigenous crop varieties and long-standing cultivation techniques.
Montenegro also maintains an ancient pastoral system where livestock are moved seasonally across grazing lands, helping sustain biodiversity while supporting traditional dairy production.
Meanwhile, flax farming in the Vitebsk region of Belarus continues to sustain the country’s historic linen industry through environmentally friendly cultivation practices.
These examples illustrate the diversity and cultural richness of agricultural heritage systems found across Europe and Central Asia.
They also demonstrate how traditional farming methods can promote environmental sustainability, preserve cultural identity and strengthen the economic resilience of rural communities.
Looking ahead, regional efforts are expected to focus on expanding the conservation of agricultural heritage systems through stronger cooperation among governments, communities and development partners.
Public-private partnerships, capacity-building initiatives and improved market access for traditional agricultural products are also expected to play a key role in sustaining these landscapes.
Increasing public awareness and integrating agricultural heritage into national strategies for climate resilience and rural development will further support the protection of these valuable systems.
Experts say agricultural heritage systems should not be viewed as relics of the past but as living and evolving landscapes where biodiversity, culture, knowledge and livelihoods intersect.
Investing in their protection, the FAO notes, offers a significant opportunity for Europe and Central Asia to strengthen sustainable agriculture while preserving the unique landscapes and traditions that define the region.
