Agrarian Heritage as an Example of the Sustainable and Dynamic Use of Natural Resources. LEADER Projects in Andalusia 2007–2013

Abstract

Natural and cultural heritage have become the driving force of development in many rural areas of the EU that are suffering from severe depopulation and require urgent diversification of their economies. Most of these territories have a rich agricultural heritage, which is often the most unique, differentiating and sustainable manifestation of the social construction of the territory through agricultural activity over the course of history. Support for this heritage has been a basic pillar of the LEADER rural development programme since at least 2000. Various projects related to agrarian heritage have been implemented in Andalusia over this period. Our study of these projects shows the significance of agrarian heritage in terms of investment and employment, especially for young people and women, and the tourism dimension of many of the projects related to its recovery and revaluation. In most of these projects, public promoters play a vital role. The challenge from the perspective of protection is to incorporate the cultural values inherent in agrarian heritage as a mark of quality and attractiveness in the promotion of local products and indeed of the area itself.