Three new sites featuring unique farming systems in China were officially designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites at GIAHS Scientific and Steering Committee Meeting held during April 28-29, 2014.
Chinese delegation headed by Mr. Qu Sixi, Counsel of MOA Department of International Cooperation, attended the Meeting held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome.
These three new traditional farming systems are Xinghua Duotian Agrosystem, Jasmine and Tea Culture System of Fuzhou City and Jiaxian Traditional Chinese Date Gardens. Also on the list are three traditional farming systems in South Korea and Iran.
As the international community attaches increasing importance to GIAHS, the Meeting was attended by more than 90 delegates from 18 countries and 9 international organizations including Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, FAO's Deputy Director- General Natural Resources.
During the Meeting, Chinese delegation expressed China's support to FAO's work on GIAHS, and it also held poster and products displays and gave a tea culture performance during the time of the Meeting.
GIAHS Initiative was launched by FAO in 2002. These new designations have brought the number of GIAHS systems to 31 sites located in 13 countries. A total of 11 sites in China were on the GIAHS list, making it the country with largest number of GIAHS in the world.