Smallholders can tap nearly $8.9 billion in credit
The government has made about $8.89 billion in credit available for family farming during the 2013/2014 crop year, out of which nearly $5.79 billion has already been used.
During the latest “Breakfast with the President” weekly radio broadcast on Monday (Feb. 24), President Dilma Rousseff explained that farmers are taking advantage of cheap credit to expand production and purchase machinery and equipment under the National Family Farming Program (PRONAF).
“It means more tractors, trucks, irrigation machinery, and milk cooling tanks to boost crop and livestock productivity in family farming,” she said.
Also as part of the program, technology is made easily accessible to smallholder farmers. “PRONAF Innovation provides cheap credit to support safe horticultural practices, automated poultry and swine production, as well as technological upgrades in dairy husbandry,” the president explained.
Additional support is extended for crop marketing as the government purchases some of the produce from small farms and cooperatives under the Food Purchase Program (PAA) and the National School Meal Program (PNAE). The two programs rely on a combined budget of $850 million for 2014.
“These are crucial programs in that they both provide a guaranteed source of income to producers and ensure fresh, healthy produce is sourced for schools, nurseries, and hospitals. And as an added benefit, they drive small local economies,” she remarked.
According to Rousseff, smallholders account for 33% of the country's agricultural GDP, 84% of farms, and 74% of the rural workforce.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Smallholders can tap nearly $8.9 billion in credit
