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12 years of grassland board in Uruguay
Author
Cáceres Bentancor, D
Pereira Machín, M
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

Pampas are the only biome in Uruguay, occupying about 60% of the territory and are the main forage resource for cattle and sheep production. Despite this, its value, its resilience to climate change and its provision of ecosystem services are generally underestimated. Almost all of these Pampas, and therefore their conservation, depend on the livestock farmers who own them. In this context, the Grassland Board (GB) was created in 2012, a formal environment within the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) to improve inter-institutional articulation in pampas, promote the development of technological proposals to increase production in a sustainable way and less vulnerable to climate change, and preserve natural resources. Bringing together 1 9 public, private, research, extension and farmer institutions and organisations, it is chaired by the Institute Plan Agropecuario (IPA) and operates within the MGAP, which provides the technical-administrative secretariat. The creation of the GB and its experience of institutional articulation in the agricultural sector is an innovative experience that is highly valued by Uruguayan agricultural institutions. Technical proposals such as "Options for the Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production in Uruguay's Natural Landscapes" have been approved, the "National Day of the Pampas " has been proclaimed by Law No. 20.088, and advice has been provided to decision-makers and to the most important national projects on grassland livestock production. Several high-quality products have been produced, such as publications and awareness-raising events, including the prestigious "The Gold Paspalum" awards. Finally, and after 12 years of intermittent action, the GB has achieved greater articulation between institutions, achieving consensual collective projects and messages. A formal and strong channel of dialogue has been established with the executive and legislative branches.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 297-300. Theme: Theme 2 / Collaborative approach to grazing management
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
Grassland
livestock
governance
board