India possessing rich cultural heritage is home to three globally recognized farming landscapes that have earned their special place and designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO). The three renowned Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems are the Koraput region in Odisha, the Kuttanad farming system in Kerala, and the Saffron Heritage of Kashmir. These three sites represent centuries old traditions of sustainability in agriculture that integrates biodiversity conservation and community knowledge.
National Support and Policy Recognition
GIAHS is an FAO programme. Schemes and policies of Government of India support these sites. These initiatives by the government of India reflect the synergy between global recognition and national policies which further ensures that farming systems not only survive but also thrive in the modern economy. The GIAHS program focuses on sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and community participation.
The Kuttanad system in Kerala stands out as a unique below-sea-level farming landscape, comprising wetlands for paddy cultivation and fish catching, garden lands for coconut and food crops, and inland water bodies for fishing and shell collection. Whereas, the Saffron Park of Kashmir represents a rich agro-pastoral system characterized by traditional saffron cultivation, intercropping, and the use of organic farming practices, all of which contribute to maintaining local biodiversity and soil health.
As reported by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for economic revival of saffron cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir has been supported under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).