• The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has awarded three GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) certificates to Spain.
• The Huerta de Valencia, the olive groves of the Sènia River and the León Mountains have been the award-winning areas.
• GIAHS recognizes those areas with traditional agricultural activities that promote the socioeconomic prosperity of rural areas while protecting the environment.

Last May, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognized the Huerta de Valencia, the olive groves of the Sènia River, and the León Mountains with the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) certification , the organization's highest recognition.

GIAHS are defined by FAO as "agrarian systems inhabited by communities living in an intrinsic relationship with their territory. These constantly evolving sites are resilient systems characterized by remarkable agricultural biodiversity, traditional knowledge, cultures, and invaluable landscapes, sustainably managed by farmers, pastoralists, fishers, and forest peoples in a way that contributes to their livelihoods and food security." In short, FAO recognizes agricultural practices that create means of development in rural areas while simultaneously combining biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, tradition, and innovation.

Spain, third country with the highest recognition

At this year's ceremony, FAO awarded GIAHS certificates to 24 ecosystems recognized since 2018, spread across 12 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Not surprisingly, since 2005, FAO has designated 74 agricultural heritage systems in 24 countries.

Regarding Spain, the FAO has recognized the ancient olive groves around the Sènia River (in Tarragona, Castellón, and Teruel), the historic irrigation of the Huerta de Valencia, and the pastoralism of the mountains of León. Thanks to these, Spain becomes the country in the world with the third most systems recognized by the United Nations, behind only China and Japan.

Let us remember that the Añana salt production system and the cultivation of Malaga raisins in the Axarquía had previously been recognized in our country .

Millenary olive tree agricultural system (Sènia)

The "Territorio del Sènia" is located in the area where the Valencian Community, Catalonia, and Aragon meet. This territory includes 27 Spanish municipalities and also boasts the largest concentration of ancient olive trees in the world. The presence of 5,000 ancient olive trees offers local communities numerous opportunities for rural development: oil production, olive oil tourism, and cooperative development.

The average annual production of olive oil in the area is estimated at more than 12,000 tons.

Historic irrigation system in l'Horta de Valencia

The Huerta de Valencia (Valencia Garden) covers an area of 28 km² , including the "Huerta Histórica" (Historic Garden) and a section of the Albufera National Park. It is formed by a system of crops irrigated by the Turia River through canals and irrigation ditches, which has maintained its traditional characteristics in a densely populated coastal region and landscape since the time of Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain).

Thanks to its irrigation system, L'Horta provides agricultural products through 6,000 family farms, including 10 fisheries. This system is an example of climate-adapted production, which can serve as inspiration for systems facing serious challenges arising from climate change.

Pastoral system of the mountains of León

In the Sierra de León , ecosystems have been maintained for centuries, directly contributing to food security and the livelihoods of local communities. Local animal species have been domesticated to adapt to the environmental and social characteristics of the Sierra de León region.

The diverse land uses of forests (chestnut, beech, birch, juniper, oak, etc.), pastures, and cultivated areas create a perfect environment for agriculture, livestock, forestry, harvesting, hunting, and fishing, all of which are of great agroecological value.