A growing movement across Europe and Central Asia is recognizing the importance of traditional agricultural landscapes not only for what they produce but also for how they are managed and the communities they sustain. From mountain terraces and pastoral grasslands to historic vineyards and salt-harvesting areas, these landscapes represent centuries of interaction between people and nature. A booklet published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlights how many of these systems are now being recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), emphasizing their role in building sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
For generations, farmers, pastoralists and fishers in the region have adapted their agricultural practices to local climates, geography and natural resources. These systems are rich in biodiversity and rooted in knowledge passed down through communities. However, they are increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss and rural depopulation. As younger generations move away from traditional farming and intensive agricultural models expand, valuable knowledge and practices risk disappearing.
Agricultural heritage systems represent dynamic landscapes shaped by the long-term relationship between people and nature. They integrate biodiversity conservation, resilient ecosystems, cultural traditions and local livelihoods while contributing to food security. These systems have demonstrated their ability to adapt to climate variability over centuries, helping reduce environmental risks through practices that maintain agricultural biodiversity. Their knowledge and methods can also guide national and global policies related to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Recognition as a GIAHS site helps traditional and family farming communities protect their heritage while navigating the pressures of globalization. It also encourages governments to incorporate agricultural heritage into development policies, supporting the sustainable use of biodiversity and strengthening rural communities. Across Europe and Central Asia, several agricultural landscapes have already gained this recognition, with more being identified as potential candidates.
The region has made notable progress in promoting agricultural heritage. A regional roadmap introduced for 2022–2025 has helped countries identify and protect heritage agricultural systems while promoting biodiversity conservation and local economic development. Currently, 15 agricultural systems in the region have been recognized as GIAHS sites, with additional landscapes showing strong potential for future designation.
A major milestone occurred in July 2025 when the first GIAHS site in Central Asia was designated in the Almosi Valley of Tajikistan. Developed over more than 3,000 years, the valley hosts a complex agropastoral system where farmers and herders practice diversified agriculture and seasonal livestock grazing. The cultivation of the Pink Taifi Grape Hisori, along with other traditional practices, supports local livelihoods and food self-sufficiency while preserving biodiversity and ecosystems. Community governance structures also play an important role in managing land and maintaining cultural traditions.
Across the region, several other landscapes demonstrate the potential for future recognition. Agricultural systems in Azerbaijan combine mountain and lowland farming practices that support biodiversity and soil conservation. In the Lower Dniester Valley of Moldova, traditional vineyards, orchards and walnut groves preserve indigenous crop varieties and long-standing agricultural techniques. In Montenegro, the ancient pastoral tradition of seasonal livestock movement helps maintain biodiversity and supports 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 methods.
These examples illustrate the diversity and richness of agricultural heritage across Europe and Central Asia. They demonstrate how traditional farming systems can combine environmental sustainability, cultural heritage and economic resilience while supporting rural livelihoods.
Looking ahead, efforts will focus on expanding the conservation of these systems through stronger regional cooperation, public–private partnerships, capacity building and improved market access for traditional products. Increasing public awareness and integrating agricultural heritage into national strategies for climate resilience and rural development will also play an important role in protecting these landscapes.
Agricultural heritage systems are not static remnants of the past but evolving systems that continue to adapt and thrive. They function as living laboratories where biodiversity, traditional knowledge, livelihoods and cultural identity intersect. Recognizing and investing in these systems offers an opportunity for Europe and Central Asia to strengthen sustainable agriculture while preserving the unique landscapes and traditions that define the region.
