La Patagonia faces growing challenges to sustain its rural and environmental future. With more than 50 million hectares of temperate grasslands, the region constitutes one of the country’s most valuable ecosystems. However, climate variability, droughts, fires, and soil degradation threaten productivity and rural life.
Producers need practical and accessible tools to maintain the land and adapt to climate change.
The ESTEPPA Program
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Halkis launched the ESTEPPA Program (Strategies for Production and Grazing in the Patagonian Steppe), a binational initiative in Argentina and Chile that promotes:
- Regenerative livestock farming as an ally in the conservation and restoration of grasslands.
- Improvement of soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.
- High-integrity carbon credits, under international standards.
- Technical training and exchange among producers.
- Financial support and key infrastructure.
- Collaborative work with rural associations, universities, and local actors.
Relevance for the Region
Grassland degradation and climate variability increasingly affect productivity. The adoption of regenerative practices allows:
- Mitigating climate change through soil carbon capture.
- Accessing economic incentives through the sale of carbon credits.
- Strengthening rural life with science-based adaptive management.
Implementation Stages
The program is in the phase of co-design with producers and local actors. Its steps include:
- Technical survey and feasibility analysis (already completed).
- Participatory tables to define practices and governance.
- Start of regenerative management in April 2026.
- Soil carbon measurements with baseline in spring 2026.
- Validation and issuance of carbon credits, generating income for producers.
The entire process is accompanied by personalized technical assistance at each establishment.
Potential Impact
Patagonia has a great capacity for carbon storage in its soils. The program seeks to:
- Regenerate 10 million hectares of grasslands under sustainable management by 2030.
- Mitigate more than 5.5 million tons of CO₂ equivalent per year.
- Scale regenerative actions through collaboration with producers and institutions.
As a first step, Cluster 1 will implement regenerative practices on 200,000 hectares by 2026, laying the foundation for expanding the model throughout the region.
ESTEPPA at the Neuquén Rural Expo
The program will be presented at the 83rd Neuquén Rural Exhibition, on January 23 and 24, 2026, where TNC and Halkis teams will share information about regenerative livestock farming and carbon markets, answering questions and showcasing concrete experiences.
ESTEPPA represents a paradigm shift for Patagonia: integrating livestock production, conservation, and climate action into a regenerative model that strengthens the rural economy and contributes to the fight against climate change.
