Agricultural Heritage Systems in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America

Agriculture is often considered as one of the main threats to  ecosystems. Unsustainable farming practices often result in habitat  loss, inefficient use of water, soil degradation, pollution, genetic  erosion, among other negative impacts on human life, including hunger,  low food quality, reduced access to food resources, as well as the  abandonment of rural areas. Nevertheless, when agriculture is practiced  in a sustainable way, it can contribute to the preservation of many  habitats, to the protection of watersheds, to the preservation and  improvement of soil health.
The use of sustainable and ecological  practices is the key feature distinguishing traditional agriculture from  intensive one. It may not provide very high yields, but ensures  sustainable harvests over time, thanks to time-tested technologies and  traditional know-hows and also represent examples of adaptation to harsh  environmental conditions. Based on this approach, in 2002, FAO launched  the concept of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)  Programme, to identify and safeguard agricultural systems that are  ensuring food and livelihood security, while maintaining magnificent  landscapes, agricultural biodiversity, traditional knowledge, cultural  and social values.
This book presents 18 examples of these  traditional agriculture systems around the world, with a special focus  on Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, as a result of the  “GIAHS Building Capacity” project co-funded by the Italian Agency for  Development Cooperation (AICS) and carried out by the Department of  Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI) of the University of  Florence (Italy).