Prestigious World Heritage Recognition for Japanese Agricultural Landscapes: Okuizumo and Arida-Shimo-tsu Designated as GIAHS
Tokyo, Japan – The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is delighted to announce a significant achievement for Japan’s rich agricultural heritage. On August 27, 2025, at 01:30, the ministry proudly shared the news that two remarkable regions – the Okuizumo region in Shimane Prefecture and the Arida-Shimo-tsu region in Wakayama Prefecture – have been newly certified as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). This prestigious designation by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) underscores the exceptional value and sustainability of these unique farming practices and landscapes.
The GIAHS initiative recognizes agricultural systems that are not only productive but also possess outstanding biodiversity, demonstrate traditional knowledge, and have developed resilient and adaptive socio-economic and cultural environments. The inclusion of Okuizumo and Arida-Shimo-tsu signifies their vital contribution to safeguarding both global food security and invaluable cultural heritage.
Okuizumo, Shimane Prefecture: A Landscape Shaped by a Century of Soba Cultivation
The Okuizumo region, nestled in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, has been recognized for its centuries-old tradition of soba (buckwheat) cultivation and its associated integrated farming system. This system is characterized by a harmonious relationship between agriculture, forestry, and water management, creating a unique and sustainable landscape.
Key features contributing to Okuizumo’s GIAHS designation include:
- Integrated Agroforestry Systems: The region’s farming practices seamlessly blend agriculture with forestry, utilizing the forest resources to support soil fertility and water retention for soba fields. This approach exemplifies a deep understanding of ecological principles.
- Traditional Soba Cultivation Techniques: Generations of farmers have passed down sophisticated techniques for cultivating high-quality buckwheat, adapted to the local climate and terrain. This includes specific methods for seed selection, planting, harvesting, and processing.
- Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture: The region’s innovative water management systems, often relying on gravity-fed irrigation from mountain streams, ensure a stable water supply for soba cultivation even in challenging topographical conditions.
- Rich Biodiversity: The preservation of traditional farming methods has fostered a remarkable level of biodiversity in both plant and animal species within the agricultural landscapes.
- Cultural Heritage and Community Resilience: The soba cultivation has deeply influenced the region’s culture, traditions, and local cuisine, fostering a strong sense of community identity and resilience. The “Okuizumo Soba” brand is renowned for its quality and unique character.
Arida-Shimo-tsu, Wakayama Prefecture: The Heart of Japanese Citrus
The Arida-Shimo-tsu region, situated on the coast of Wakayama Prefecture, is celebrated for its outstanding citrus cultivation, particularly the renowned Arida mikan (mandarin orange). This area has a long and distinguished history of developing and refining citrus farming techniques, establishing itself as a cradle of Japanese citrus production.
The recognized attributes of the Arida-Shimo-tsu GIAHS site include:
- Teraced Citrus Orchards: The region’s iconic landscape is shaped by extensive terraced orchards, meticulously crafted over centuries to maximize sunlight exposure and optimize drainage for citrus trees. These terraces represent a remarkable feat of landscape engineering.
- Advanced Citrus Cultivation Technologies: The area has been a hub for innovation in citrus cultivation, developing advanced grafting techniques, pest management strategies, and soil improvement methods that have significantly contributed to the quality and yield of Japanese mandarins.
- Sustainable Resource Management: Traditional practices emphasize the efficient use of local resources, including the integration of natural materials and organic matter to enrich the soil, promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.
- Unique Citrus Varieties and Breeding: The region has played a crucial role in the development and preservation of unique citrus varieties, contributing to the genetic diversity of this important fruit.
- Cultural Significance and Economic Vitality: Citrus cultivation is deeply woven into the cultural fabric and economic vitality of the Arida-Shimo-tsu region, supporting local communities and traditional livelihoods. The reputation of Arida mikan is recognized both domestically and internationally.
These newly designated GIAHS sites represent outstanding examples of human ingenuity and deep respect for nature, demonstrating how agricultural systems can be both productive and custodians of biodiversity and cultural heritage. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries extends its sincere congratulations to the communities of Okuizumo and Arida-Shimo-tsu for this well-deserved recognition and pledges its continued support for the preservation and sustainable development of these invaluable agricultural treasures.
島根県奥出雲地域と和歌山県有田・下津地域が新たに世界農業遺産(GIAHS)に認定されました！
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
農林水産省 published ‘島根県奥出雲地域と和歌山県有田・下津地域が新たに世界農業遺産(GIAHS)に認定されました！’ at 2025-08-27 01:30. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.