Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in the Dong Van Plateau, Viet Nam

     The breathtaking landscape Dong Van kast plateau in Geopark of Ha Giang province in Northwest Vietnam has been recognized as a UNESCO GeoPark, the 2nd   to be recognized in the Asia Pacific and the first in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government plans to conserve and promote the outstanding convergence of geographic, geological and biodiversity assets of the karst plateau. These assets inspire love of country and nature among the people while at the same time, they offer real opportunities for nature based countryside livelihoods such as eco- agri tourism.

     Within the kast plateau, reside at least seventeen ethnic groups who have for hundreds of years, maintained a nature friendly agri based heritage.The farming activities of ethnic minorities living in this area represent the age old struggle to adapt to the harsh physical environment that is inhospitable to agriculture. These are the very rocky karst landscape where top soils are very thin and rainwater drains very fast making farming very difficult. Through the years however, the ethnic minorities developed creative farming methods that conserve soil and water and regenerate the soil continually by planting combination of different crops and integrating animal production. Without these farmer based practices, agriculture would not have been sustained

     The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) was initiated in 2002 by a global partnership of UN based agencies, facilitated by FAO. It aims to promote global public understanding, awareness, national and international recognition of Agricultural Heritage Systems The initiative recognizes GIAHS sites worldwide m using 5 criteria. These are 1) high in biodiversity 2) possess remarkable landscapes resulting from mans interaction with nature; 3) supports local food security and livelihoods; and is sustained by 4) local knowledge and 5) sociocultural traditions and support systems

     The government Viet Nam has manifested its deep interest to join the initiative. In order to fulfil its goal, the Government of Vietnam has sought FAO’s technical assistance to formulate a proposal to declare the agricultural landscape and practices in the Dong Van karst plateau as a GIAHS site. The objective of the project is to identify and safeguard traditional farming systems in Dong Van geopark and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems through catalyzing and establishing a long-term programme to support such systems and enhance global, national and local benefits derived through their dynamic conservation, sustainable management and enhanced viability.

     Multi- sectoral Initiative.  The First Multi sectoral Workshop to promote the agricultural heritage of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang Province was held on 25 – 26 June 2015. The objective of the workshop was to build awareness about GIAHS and to discuss what is known so far about the the unique agricultural production system in Dong Van Stone Plateau and the interaction of this production system with the economic and cultural activities. These would raise public awareness and interest about GIAHS.

     Participants to the workshop included delegates of the Management Board of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geapark,  provincial leaders, representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Department of Natural Resource and Environment (DNRE), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism  of Ha Giang Province, FAO experts as well as cultural experts at the district and commune level.

     Mr. Nguyen Thanh Giang – Vice Director of Management Board of Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark and  Dr Pham Cuong of the Plant Resources Center (PRC) of Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Science (VAAS) explained in the workshop what the GIAHS is all about and the key criteria and actions needed to be declared. A GIAHS certification would heighten awareness of the site and offer socioeconomic opportunities for local communities such as becoming a site for ecotourism. Products from GIAHS Sites can labelled as such and can command higher prices, such as the experience of China and other countries show.

     Mr. Tran Duc Quy, the Vice Chair of the Ha Giang Peoples Committee cited the importance of the GIAHS to the Dong Van Karst Plateau, It will surely enhance the public awareness of the agri- cultural heritage and its value as nature tourism site. The Provincial Government plans to expand its technical support to the upland farming communities though sustainable agricultural productivity.
Mr Ed Queblatin, FAO Asia Pacific consultant on GIAHS further provided global examples of GIAHS and how they are “dynamically conserved” and specific steps  for the immediate recognition of the said park. He cited the importance of GIAHS to help in crop varietal improvement, soil and water conservation which are important strategies for climate change adaptation in Vietnam and the Mekong region.

     Mr Queblatin cited that the traditional agricultural practices are high in agrobioversity and provide proven examples for climate smart agriculture. An example is the ingenious intercropping practices that keep the soil from degradation even with continuous cropping and short fallow periods.

     The VAAS – PRC is leading a multisectoral effort to characterize and document the experience of the agricultural heritage in Dong Van. The proposal to FAO is due in November 2015.