The Wichí Wild Honey Presidium initiative, established in the Larguero community within Argentina’s Salta province, represents a model of empowering a small indigenous community (Wichí) to defend and promote their traditional food heritage. The Wichí, who number around 50,000 across the central Chaco region, traditionally combine limited agriculture with fishing, hunting, and the gathering of wild foods, with the collection of wild honey (Tsawotaj) being a critical activity performed exclusively by men. The initiative, supported by a 2017 grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by Slow Food, focused on a pre-existing group of 13 honey gatherers, including nine young people. The core objective of the Presidium is to create a network of producers, chefs, and institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting the high-quality wild honey, thereby supporting Wichí knowledge, culture, and traditions. The Presidium faced initial challenges related to hygiene standards during the gathering, pressing, and filtering processes, as well as accessing viable markets.

The IFAD grant directly addressed these issues by providing essential protective and gathering equipment to all members, which significantly boosted the productivity of the younger members who previously shared tools with older members. Furthermore, the construction of a dedicated extraction room with pressing and filtering equipment was supported, allowing for the improvement of hygiene levels across the entire process—from gathering (where gatherers are careful to leave pollen for the bees and preserve the hives) to final packaging. The Presidium transitioned to a collective model, utilizing a revolving fund to pay gatherers weekly at a premium price. By selling the honey as a group, the members gained increased marketing power and became active price setters. Initial efforts to open up new commercial relations, including a 2019 trip to Buenos Aires, resulted in the appointment of two youth members to lead marketing activities. Since 2020, the Presidium has adopted a Slow Food label to enhance sales and has conceived an action plan to eventually formalize its legal status, although the decision to register as an Indigenous Community was ultimately abandoned. Since its establishment, the Presidium has achieved significant, multi-faceted results:

• Productivity and Economic Gains: Wild honey production has increased by more than four-fold, and the unit price has risen by 30\% due to improved quality and hygiene. The honey has successfully gained access to regional and national markets, including fair trade shops in Buenos Aires, largely facilitated by Slow Food Argentina and the engagement of youth members.
• Environmental Sustainability: The production protocol mandates rules highly respectful of the Gran Chaco forest ecosystem. Gatherers are trained to leave sufficient honey for the bees and ensure hives are preserved during extraction, guaranteeing the sustainable management of the resource base and biodiversity.
• Institutional and Social Empowerment: The Presidium has established solid collaborations with national organizations, enhancing its visibility and access to technical support. This improved visibility and marketability contribute directly to increased income and, consequently, the empowerment of the Wichí community, strengthening its profile and cohesion.

The ongoing commitment to the collective model, where all decisions are taken jointly and formally endorsed by the Cacique (community chief), reinforces community governance. The Wichí Wild Honey Presidium is a concrete example of how respecting and leveraging traditional knowledge, supported by strategic external investment in infrastructure and capacity building, can create a sustainable economic pathway for an indigenous community while actively safeguarding their cultural heritage and environment.