Cape Verde’s potential recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) site at the recent Sustainability Forum. 

This designation, spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, celebrates enduring agricultural traditions that integrate biodiversity, ecological equilibrium, and cultural heritage. GIAHS landscapes are not merely food sources for communities; they also deliver crucial environmental benefits, including carbon capture, biodiversity preservation, and climate resilience.

Cape Verde’s traditional agricultural practices, tailored to its distinctive environment, have great potential for sustainable food production and community strength. 

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) designation would highlight Cape Verde’s farming heritage globally and provide ways to protect it.

GIAHS recognition brings more than just prestige; it offers real advantages. It enhances the ability of local farming communities to cope with climate change impacts, support their livelihoods, and improve national food security. 

This traditional knowledge can also influence wider agricultural and environmental strategies as we face globalisation and climate change.

By pursuing this initiative, Cape Verde takes a significant step toward connecting its agricultural history with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that its past contributes to its future.

Source: FAO CaboVerde 

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