Organic yerba mate : an environmentally, socially and financially suitable agroforestry system

Abstract

Trade in yerba mate (YM) (Ilex paraguariensis) is a lucrative business in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. YM leaves are locally consumed as a tea with a market expanding to the USA, Europe and Asia, as it contains nearly twice the antioxidant levels of green tea and is energizing, making it an alternative to coffee. Approximately 5 percent of Misiones province, Argentina is in YM production. Many small farmers do not reach acceptable production levels due to lack of adequate technology. Organic YM producers can get up to 20 [percent] price surplus and most YM cooperatives have organic YM as one of their products. Typically grown in monocultures, its management can cause erosion and soil exhaustion, however YM naturally grows in subtropical forest and is shade tolerant thus it is adequate for agroforestry systems (AFS). We examined organic AFS of YM with other native trees by conducting semi-structured interviews with farmers in Misiones, including smaller, family-operated farms as well as larger farms, private companies, and private reserves. We recorded a substantial number of individuals of native species. Many farmers have their own nurseries to produce seedlings to use with YM and to sell for additional income. The extra work involved in using the organic practices and planting and tending for the native species is compensated by higher YM prices. YM AFS with native trees improve soil fertility of degraded areas without relying on fertilizers, while providing additional income from the timber of native trees. We conclude that AFS that combine YM with indigenous trees can favor the spread of organic YM production and diversify income in Argentina and elsewhere.