This Friday, 31st October, Lanzarote will be formally designated a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation at a ceremony in Rome.
The honour celebrates the island’s unique traditional agricultural model, which will be presented to the world as a benchmark for sustainability and climate change adaptation. The island’s representatives at the event, Cabildo President Oswaldo Betancort and Councillor for Landscape and Food Sovereignty Samuel Martín, expressed their profound satisfaction with the international acknowledgement.
President Betancort stated, “This international recognition of our agricultural landscape honours the wisdom of generations of Lanzaroteños who have known how to coexist with nature and create life from the volcano. It is a source of pride and also a call to continue protecting and passing on this legacy, which is part of our identity and our understanding of sustainability.”
Councillor Samuel Martín added, “Lanzarote’s traditional agricultural system is an example of balance between humans and the land. Being recognised by the UN shows that island agriculture not only has a past, but also a future. It is an inspiring model of adaptation to climate change, land use, and rural resilience.”
Farming in an Extreme Environment
Lanzarote’s traditional agricultural system is a remarkable example of human ingenuity in an extreme environment. On an island receiving less than 150 millimetres of rain annually, farmers developed a clever cultivation method. This system uses volcanic lapilli, known locally as ‘rofe’, to capture and retain soil moisture while protecting crops from wind and salinity.
This technique, combined with the use of ‘zocos’, the characteristic semicircular stone walls, has enabled the cultivation of essential products including vines, fruit, vegetables, and cereals. The FAO highlights that this has guaranteed food security and preserved traditional practices for generations.
The special recognition reinforces Lanzarote’s commitment to landscape protection, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of traditional knowledge. These are the same principles that underpin its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Global Geopark.
A Live International Ceremony
The award ceremony, held biennially at FAO headquarters, will gather the international community to promote the conservation of agricultural heritage, share best practices, and celebrate the unique qualities of the newly incorporated systems.
It will also feature a digital exhibition and cultural presentations linked to the recently launched Museum and Network of Food and Agriculture (MuNe).
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Friday, 31st October, starting at 9:00am Canary Island time, via the Cabildo de Lanzarote website at https://www.cabildodelanzarote.com/
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