FAO Designates Brazil’s Shaded Yerba Mate Cultivation as Global Agricultural Heritage

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially recognized Brazil’s traditional shaded yerba mate cultivation system in Paraná’s Araucaria Forest as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), honoring its sustainable practices and cultural significance.

According to TV BRICS, the newly listed site, titled “Shaded Yerba Mate: A Traditional Agroforestry System in Paraná’s Araucaria Forest,” becomes Brazil’s second agricultural system to receive GIAHS status. It follows the recognition of the “Apanhadoras de Flores Sempre-Vivas” system in Minas Gerais in 2023.

The nomination was coordinated by Brazil’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture (MDA) in partnership with local governments, rural communities, researchers, and civil society organizations. Officials described the FAO’s decision as a milestone for sustainable rural development and environmental preservation.

According to the MDA, the shaded yerba mate system exemplifies a harmonious balance between agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, and cultural heritage. The centuries-old practice integrates yerba mate cultivation with the native Araucaria forest, allowing farmers to maintain soil fertility, protect wildlife habitats, and sustain traditional livelihoods.

The FAO’s recognition highlights Brazil’s leadership in promoting agricultural systems that combine food production with ecosystem protection and social equity. Experts say it also underscores the importance of family farming models that preserve traditional knowledge while adapting to modern sustainability challenges.

With this recognition, Brazil now joins a select group of countries whose farming traditions are safeguarded under the GIAHS program — a global initiative that aims to protect unique agricultural systems and promote sustainable use of natural resources.