Project Overview
Paraguay is one of the world's leading producers of soybeans and beef. These products account for 65 percent of the country's exports and 25 percent of its gross domestic product. Unfortunately, the increased production of these products in recent decades has led to a reduction in forest cover and biodiversity due to the need to expand the cultivation of these commodities.
The historical expansion of the agricultural frontier, including soybean production, has contributed to land-use change in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (BAAPA), recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. In this context, the Zero Deforestation Law (Law No. 2524/2004) is in effect in the Eastern Region of the country. This measure was adopted to prevent land-use change and curb the deforestation of native forests in this area, which is home to BAAPA. Currently, producers are increasingly working with sustainable production approaches, incorporating practices aimed at improving productive efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Livestock activities are concentrated in the Chaco region, where deforestation rates have increased considerably, reaching 255,000 hectares per year. Livestock farming in the Chaco represents the engine of progress for a vast region full of opportunities. Today, the commitment of agricultural producers is geared towards a dynamic balance: producing high-quality food while safeguarding ecosystem services. This new paradigm makes the Chaco a fertile territory for investments that value sustainability as the main asset of production. Modern agriculture.
The Government of Paraguay, through the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), seeks to improve and implement efficient and environmentally sustainable practices in soybean and beef value chains.
Sites:
Districts of Mariscal Estigarribia, Filadelfia, Boquerón, Loma Plata, Fuerte Olimpo, and Bahía Negra in the Chaco region, and the districts of Naranjal, San Cristóbal, Tavaí, and Abaí in the BAAPA (Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest) region.
Commodities:
Beef, soybeans
Area Covered:
160,000 hectares
Executing Partner and GEF Implementing Agency:
United Nations Environment Programme
Project Features
The FOLUR Project, led by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay (MADES), seeks to strengthen food production and land use processes, so that productive activities are better integrated, producing ecosystem services and maintaining resources and natural capital.
Objectives include the creation of an integrated landscape management system and gender-responsive capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening governance and technical expertise.
Productive landscape in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (BAAPA) ecoregion. The adoption of good agricultural practices and the preservation of protective forests demonstrate that it is possible to maintain high productivity. Photo credit: FOLUR Paraguay
Indigenous communities of the Chaco and the BAAPA are strengthening the sustainable management of their lands through the FOLUR Paraguay project. These actions are fundamental to ensuring biodiversity conservation, food security, and resilience. Photo credit: Ricardo Ulke/FOLUR Paraguay
A protocol for the effective operation of national multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms, incorporating gender considerations for sustainable beef and soy supply chains, is building on the roundtables on sustainable beef and soy.
Approximately 40 percent of the project's direct beneficiaries will be women.
The project will lead to the development of gender-sensitive training programs on integrated landscape management systems, designed to technically strengthen public actors at the national and local levels to design, implement, and monitor integrated land-use plans.
It will include the implementation of an integrated environmental information system (SIAM) for sustainable land-use management, linking municipalities to the SIAM, which is managed by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. (MADES).
Furthermore, it will involve improved coordination between national and local levels of government to implement policies and schemes for the sustainable production of beef and soy.
[Page updated June 2026]
Staff at a cattle ranch in the Chaco region implement preventive management measures to mitigate conflict between livestock and large felines. Through monitoring, the use of technology, and the adoption of good anti-predator management practices, it is demonstrated that it is possible to protect livestock productivity and safeguard wildlife. Photo credit: Ricardo Ulke/FOLUR Paraguay
