The enterprise PAYCO (Paraguay Agriculture Corporation) aims at carrying out sustainable agriculture, livestock and forest management in Paraguay. Aside from the expansion of food production, PAYCO aims to reforest 13,500 hectares of land by 2016. UNIQUE developed PAYCO’s forestry projects and is responsible for their implementation. Based on “best practices”, an innovative forestry production scheme was established. Added value is created by combining different tree species with different productions systems. The optimization of positive environmental and social impacts of forestry operations is of particular importance. The reforested areas are certified according to the internationally recognized Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) regulations.

• Identification of areas to be reforested.
• Application of site-species-market-matching approach.
• Development of growth and yield tables and property business plans.
• Land preparation and planting according to “best practices” and FSC standards.
• Maintenance through pruning, thinning and harvesting.
• Fire prevention and disease control.
• Production monitoring and cost calculation.
• Optimization of environmental and social impacts and reporting to investors.