The GIAHS is an acronym for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems was started by FAO in 2002 for spreading public awareness and to safeguard world agricultural heritage sites.
FAO is an intergovernmental organization, headquartered at Rome with 191 member nations. Aims at helping world population get ensured food security, eliminate hunger, poverty.
The official site provides more-
“The GIAHS Initiative promotes public understanding, awareness, national and international recognition of Agricultural Heritage systems. Looking to safeguard the social, cultural, economic and environmental goods and services these provide to family farmers, smallholders, indigenous peoples and local communities, the initiative fosters an integrated approach combining sustainable agriculture and rural development.”
Objectives of GIAHS-
Understand and appreciate the nature friendly agricultural practices of local and tribal populations around the world.
Documentation of indigenous knowledge sources.
Conserve and promote such knowledge on a worldwide scale to promote food security and to ensure sustainable development.
To share the benefits with local populace by bringing about eco-tourism and eco labelling.
Eradicate poverty and combat climate change. To reverse the impacts of loss of Biodiversity, loss of livelihood and economic returns for marginalized and poor- major impacts.