FAO awards GIAHS certificates to two Iranian sites
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) awarded the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) certificate to two Iranian sites of Qanat-based Saffron Farming System in Gonabad and Grape Production System in Jozan Valley.
During a ceremony held on Tuesday, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, granted certificates of recognition to 24 new GIAHS sites in 12 countries including Iran, according to fao.org. Designated GIAHS in 2018, the sites are located in Brazil (one site), China (four sites), Ecuador (two sites), Iran (two sites), Italy (two sites), Japan (two sites), Korea (two sites), Mexico (one site), Morocco (two sites), Spain (three sites), Thailand (one site) and Tunisia (two sites).
The two sites in Iran are situated in provinces of Khorasan Razavi and Hamedan. In 2014, the Qanat Irrigated System of Kashan, Isfahan Province, was designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
The GIAHS are communities which base their livelihoods and food security on their close relationship with their surroundings.