Iran rainfed fig orchards to win FAO world heritage status
Iran rainfed fig orchards to win FAO world heritage status
A traditional fig cultivation system in Iran is set to win recognition from FAO as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
Titled “Estahban Rainfed Fig Orchards Heritage System”, the credit reflects a unique way to produce rain-fed figs.
The Iranian entrée was designated by the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group in 2019 but the process was halted due to the spread of the COVID-19.
Iran is one of the most important figs producers in the world, while the city of Estahban, counting 2.200.000 thousand fig trees in 22.613 hectares, is the most important center for figs production. Gardeners in the region have valuable experiences in the process of planting, harvesting and preserving the rain-fed figs.
The figs crops are here maintained in the traditional way and the irrigation system is a unique way of water and soil management for figs cultivation. This is based on a method that makes easier the water flow through figs crops during rainfall, minimizing at the same time the possibility of erosion and flooding.
Figs are not the only products of this system. In fact, Estahban gardeners also cultivate other horticultural varieties such as grapes, almonds, olives, pomegranates, walnuts, apricots, apples and saffron.
Figs are not the only products of this system. In fact, Estahban gardeners also cultivate other horticultural varieties such as grapes, almonds, olives, pomegranates, walnuts, apricots, apples and saffron.
Thanks to the climatic conditions, soil features and the water management system developed in Estahban there are vegetation fields that grow along figs crops and they are mostly cultivated with carrot plants.
This unique way of territory management is the result of the coexistence and adaptation between man and nature.
