Assisi-Spoleto Olive Belt: the GIAHS program

The GIAHS Scientific Committee, with its own scientific experts, carried out an official visit to the Olive Belt on 20 April 2018, after their initial visit in February 2017 (link: https://www.sviluppumbria.it/-/paesaggio-rurale-storico) . The Scientific Committee met on March 8th to start its evaluation.

Representatives of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (MIPAAF) also took part in the visit.

The visit was supported and facilitated by the six municipalities whose territory includes the Olive Belt (Trevi, as project leader, Assisi, Spello, Foligno, Campello sul Clitunno and Spoleto), the Umbria Region and Sviluppumbria, which welcomed and accompanied the delegation.

The positive outcome of this inspection, together with the effort to prepare the paper dossier of the candidacy that detects and scientifically interprets the wealth of the area will be a step toward achieving international recognition, which could make the Olive Belt the first in Europe to have obtained it.

On 15 February 2018, the Committee promoting the “Assisi-Spoleto Olive Oil Belt” project officially sent to FAO the Application Dossier for the GIAHS Programme - Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. (link: https://www.sviluppumbria.it/-/la-fascia-olivata-assisi-spoleto-verso-il-riconoscimento-al-programma-giahs-della-fao)

This programme aims to identify, recognise and support the world’s agro-cultural heritage systems, where sustainable agriculture is combined with rural development and where management by generations of farmers, the use of appropriate practices, local knowledge and experience, and a deep relationship with nature, are elements that shape and adapt the landscape and agricultural system to the livelihood needs of local populations.