By Kenneth Marcos 
At the heart of Quezon City, representatives from key national agencies gathered on November 3, 2025, with one shared goal—to protect the country’s most valuable farming traditions and landscapes. The Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (NIAHS) Executive Committee met in Diliman to strengthen the implementation of a policy that honors and safeguards the Philippines’ rich agricultural heritage.
The meeting marked a major step in carrying out the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1, Series of 2023. This directive outlines the procedures for identifying, declaring, and preserving NIAHS sites across the country.
NIAHS sites are special farming areas that combine traditional knowledge, unique landscapes, and biodiversity. They represent communities that have lived in harmony with nature for generations—using farming methods that sustain both the environment and local culture. These include rice terraces, traditional irrigation systems, indigenous farming zones, and coastal ecosystems where agriculture and culture thrive side by side.
During the meeting, the Executive Committee discussed strategies to promote awareness of these heritage systems and ensure their long-term protection. The agencies also explored ways to support farmers and indigenous communities living in these areas through technical assistance, funding, and cultural preservation programs.
Officials emphasized that protecting NIAHS sites is not only about conserving land but also about preserving the identity and wisdom of the people who care for it. The committee agreed that integrating heritage conservation into national agricultural policy is vital in facing modern challenges such as climate change, land conversion, and loss of biodiversity.
The NIAHS initiative supports the global movement led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under its Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program. The Philippines’ participation in this effort places the country among nations that recognize farming as both a livelihood and a cultural legacy.
By uniting science, culture, and community, the DA and its partner agencies aim to keep traditional agricultural systems alive for future generations. Through these efforts, the Philippines moves closer to achieving sustainable and inclusive rural development while celebrating its unique agricultural identity.
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