FAO Honors Qazvin's Baghestan with Prestigious GIAHS Certificate!

In a remarkable recognition of agricultural heritage, the ancient traditional gardens of Qazvin, also known as Baghestan, have been awarded the prestigious Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) certificate by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This significant accolade underscores the importance of preserving agricultural practices that have profound historical and cultural value.

Currently, Iran boasts six designated GIAHS sites, positioning the nation as the fourth globally, trailing behind China, Japan, and South Korea, which hold 25, 17, and 9 sites respectively. This recognition not only highlights the cultural richness of Iranian agriculture but also emphasizes its role in sustainable practices.

The 2025 GIAHS Award Ceremony was held on October 31 at the FAO headquarters in Rome, coinciding with the celebrations for FAO’s 80th Anniversary. During this momentous event, 28 new agricultural heritage designations were recognized across 14 countries, elevating the total number of globally acknowledged heritage systems to 102.

According to the FAO’s GIAHS program, sites are selected based on several key criteria, which include:

Global Importance: The site must have significant relevance on a global scale.
Public Good Value: It should support food and livelihood security.
Agro-biodiversity: The site must be rich in diverse agricultural species.
Sustainable Knowledge Systems: The preservation of traditional practices and knowledge is essential.
Cultural Significance: The site must embody social values and cultural heritage.
Outstanding Landscapes: The area should feature remarkable natural beauty.

The GIAHS sites in Iran encompass a variety of unique agricultural systems, including:

Qanat Irrigated Agricultural Heritage Systems in Kashan
Qanat-based Saffron Farming System in Gonabad
Grape Production System in Jowzan Valley
Estahban Rainfed Fig Orchards Heritage System in Fars Province
Traditional Walnut Agricultural System in Tuyserkan, Hamedan Province
Ancient Traditional Gardens of Qazvin Baghestan

The traditional gardens of Qazvin represent a flood-spreading system that has been in place for thousands of years, tracing back to the development of the city of Qazvin. Nestled at the foothills of the Alborz mountain range, these gardens have historically protected the local population from flooding, utilizing natural watershed methods to cultivate nuts and local delicacies.

Baghestan is home to an impressive array of agrobiodiversity, featuring approximately 100 local varieties of pistachio, almond, grape, apricot, walnut, and plum trees. Among these, grapes, pistachios, and almonds are particularly noteworthy for their diverse local and endemic varieties. For instance, there are around 25 distinct grape varieties that have been identified, many of which can be traced back to the 16th century.

Initiated by the FAO during the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and officially recognized as a FAO corporate program in 2015, the GIAHS initiative aims to identify and protect extraordinary agricultural systems where communities maintain a deep-rooted connection to their land. These systems are:

Evolving and Resilient: They adapt to changing environmental and social conditions.
Characterized by Agrobiodiversity: They sustain a wide variety of species.
Rich in Traditional Knowledge: They incorporate invaluable cultural practices.
Unique Landscapes: They create distinctive agricultural environments.
Sustainably Managed: They are overseen by farmers, herders, fisherfolk, and forest communities.

This award is not only a celebration of the past but also a commitment to ensuring that these traditions can be passed down to future generations. The recognition of Qazvin’s gardens as a GIAHS site highlights their importance in supporting livelihoods, promoting adaptive management, and facilitating knowledge exchange among agricultural communities.

In conclusion, the awarding of the GIAHS certificate to the ancient traditional gardens of Qazvin marks a significant milestone in the preservation of agricultural heritage. It emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to protect and promote sustainable agricultural practices that respect cultural heritage while ensuring food security for future generations. This recognition serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other regions striving to achieve similar sustainability and heritage goals.