In the arid lands in the northeast of Mendoza province (Argentina) the only possible subsistence economy is extensive livestock breeding. Mean plant cover in the area is 45%. Natural vegetation is dominated by open forests of Prosopis flexuosa DC associated with a shrub layer of Atriplex lampa Gill. ex Moq. The present carrying capacity ranges between 7.5 and 2.12 ha per animal unit, at sites in poor and good conditions respectively. The only alternative agroforestry technique in this region is selecting areas as reserve paddocks and enriching them with native fodder species. A total yield of 489.5 kgDM/ha/year could be reached in these areas by combining plant species such as A. lampa, Tricomaria usillo Gill. ex H. et A., Lycium chilense Miers ex Bert., and Prosopidastrum globosum (Gill. ex Hook. et Arn.) Burk. with P flexuosa. Such association would allow for a carrying capacity of 0.8 ha per animal unit. Reserve paddocks ensure a richin-protein forage supply in critical periods (November-January). Their management involves two-hour grazing a day, alternating natural range with the reserve paddock. Reserve paddocks allow increased offer of marketable kids from the same herd of mother goats, since the latter obtain better nourishment without exerting additional grazing pressure. Key words: fodder species, forest, goats, management, Prosopis, reserve paddock En la zona arida del nordeste de Mendoza (Argentina) la unica economia posible es la de subsistencia a traves de la ganaderia extensiva. La cobertura vegetal media en el area es del 45%. La vegetacion natural es dominada por un bosque abierto de Prosopis flexuosa DC asociado a un estrato arbustivo con Atriplex lampa Gill. ex Moq. La capacidad de carga actual varia entre 7,5 y 2,12 ha/animal, en sitios de pobre y buena condicion respectivamente. La unica tecnica agroforestal posible es la de seleccion de areas como potreros de reserva y su enriquecimiento con especies nativas forrajeras. Un total de 489,5 kgMS/ha/ano podria alcanzarse in estas areas mediante la combinacion de especies como A. lampa, Tricomaria usillo Gill. ex H. et A., Lycium chilense Miers ex Bert. y Prosopidastrum globosum (Gill. ex Hook. et Arn.) Burk. con P. flexuosa. Esta asociacion permitiria una capacidad de carga de 0,8 ha por unidad animal. El potrero de reserva asegura un suplemento forrajero rico en proteina en los periodos criticos (noviembre-enero). Su manejo involucra dos horas diarias de pastoreo, alternando con la vegetacion natural. El potrero de reserva permite incrementar la oferta de crias al mercado, al lograr las madres mejor nutricion. Palabras clave: especies forrajeras, bosque, cabras, manejo, Prosopis, potrero de reserva