The experience with “agroforestry systems licensing” in Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: potentials and bottlenecks

Abstract

The agroforestry certification procedure in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) was created with the purpose
of reducing bureaucracy of licensing for the management of areas with native species.
However, the operational effectiveness of this process, considered innovative among the measures
for legalization of these areas in Brazil, is still being checked. This work intends to
contextualize the licensing process of Agroforestry Systems for family agriculture in RS, which
emerged as one of the demands related to this agricultural technique in the state. In addition,
intend to evaluate, based on a qualitative and exploratory approach, how the situation is today,
either due to potentialities or weaknesses; as well as trying to raise possible future perspectives.
It is concluded that the process is a stimulus to use and management of native forest species,
but still requires operational adjustments consistent with a reality of the familiar farmers
and traditional communitie