Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

Malaga Raisin Production System in La Axarquía, Spain

GIAHS since 2017
©Beatriz Moreno Escalona

The raisins production in Axarquía has gone through centuries and different civilisations until today changing a few of its characteristics. Indeed, the cultivation of Muscatel grapes in the mountainous areas of Málaga is very important in the agricultural economy of the area as it is developed in areas of steep slopes without any other agricultural alternative.

Traditional, manual and craft technologies are used in the cultivation, harvesting, grape drying process and removal of the grapes from the bunch. This represents a traditional way of life that identifies the area with the culture associated to raisins production.

Maintaining this grape-growing system and its sun-drying transformation process is essential in order to maintain the landscape, as it prevents erosion and desertification processes and it is an example of how the people of the area relate with their territories and their cultural traditions. Raisins are a structuring element of the territory. After years in decline, nowadays, the interest for the agricultural system has revived and the local people are more interested to maintain, develop and restore the socio-cultural richness generated throughout history that has also allowed to build the spirit of the region.

News

New agricultural heritage sites; farming in harmony with nature

The new designations includes the production of Malaga raisins in Axarquia, Spain. FAO's criteria for inclusion on the list includes sites which have value as a public good in terms of supporting food and livelihood security, biodiversity, local knowledge, culture as well as outstanding natural landscapes.

La pasa de Málaga, un tesoro protegido por la FAO

La Axarquía se encuentra en pleno proceso de elaboración de este producto tan tradicional. Es el mejor momento para conocer este Patrimonio Agrícola Mundial

Flickr Album

SPAIN- Malaga Raisin Production System in La Axarquía