"Family farming expands sustainable food production"

Carolina Sarres
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia - President Dilma Rousseff spoke today (15), on the weekly program Coffee with the President, about the Family Farming and Semi-Arid Harvest plans. Dilma reiterated that the government will grant credit of R$ 21 billion for the 2013/2014 harvest, as had been announced at the launch of the plan. The amount foreseen for this harvest, which begins in July, is 16,6% higher than that of 2012, R$ 18 billion. The contribution will come from the National Program for Strengthening Family Farming (Pronaf).

According to the president, interest rates for loans under the Plano Safra (agricultural plan) are negative – between 0,5% and 3,5%, percentages lower than inflation. In addition to financing, the government will also guarantee the sale of crops from family farmers, disbursing more than R$ 2,2 billion for the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and the National School Feeding Program (PNAE). Within the PAA, the annual sales limit for farmers has been increased from R$ 4,5 to R$ 5,5. For family cooperatives, the limit reaches R$ 6,5.

"[The plan] is important for families who live in the countryside, it is important for the harmonious development of our society, our economy, our country. With family farming, we expand the sustainable production of food for all Brazilians," explained Dilma.

Regarding the Semi-Arid Harvest Plan, announced earlier this month, the president reiterated the release of R$ 7 billion that will be offered to families in the driest regions of the country. "We will invest R$ 7 billion to provide farmers with the means to produce using techniques adapted to the region's climate, so that they don't lose crops or livestock when drought arrives. That's what it means to better cope with the Semi-Arid climate," she said.

Of the total amount made available by the government for the 2013/2014 harvest in the Semi-Arid region, R$ 4 billion will go to family farmers and R$ 3 billion to medium and large producers in the region. Interest rates for loans under the plan for operating expenses range from 1% to 3% per year. For investment, interest rates range from 1% to 1,5% per year. These rates are lower than those in other regions.

Edited by: Talita Cavalcante