Tajikistan’s Almosi Valley gains UN heritage status for traditional farming

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — The Almosi Valley in Tajikistan has become the first site in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to receive recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The designation, announced on July 8, acknowledges the valley’s unique blend of traditional farming, biodiversity, and cultural resilience.

According to reporting by independent outlet Asia Plus, the FAO’s Scientific Advisory Group granted the status following a review of Tajikistan’s agricultural systems and their alignment with the GIAHS criteria, which include traditional knowledge, agro-biodiversity, sustainable land use, and community involvement.

Nestled in the mountainous Hisor District, Almosi Valley is a model of transhumant sheep herding and small-scale farming rooted in centuries-old practices. Farmers in the valley grow traditional varieties of wheat, barley, vegetables, and the prized pink Taifi grape, while raising Hisor sheep—an indigenous breed adapted to extreme terrains.

Techniques such as contour planting, organic fertilization, and ancient irrigation methods enable these communities to manage resources sustainably and adapt to climate change. Agricultural life in the region is governed by family farms, cooperatives, and local councils, reinforcing social cohesion and cultural identity.

“This recognition places Tajikistan alongside countries like Italy, Spain, and South Korea whose heritage farming systems have global significance,” FAO officials noted. Before Almosi’s inclusion, only 12 GIAHS sites existed across Europe and Central Asia.

President Emomali Rahmon has previously praised the FAO for acknowledging other key aspects of Tajik agriculture, including the Hisor sheep and the pink Taifi grape—both now further validated through Almosi’s inclusion.

With the latest additions from Tajikistan, Portugal, and South Korea, the GIAHS network now comprises 99 heritage systems in 29 countries. Experts say this international recognition marks a vital step in preserving traditional agricultural wisdom amid the pressures of modernization and climate change in Central Asia.