Unlike Temer, Renan strengthens family farming.
In contrast to the federal government, which announced cuts to the Food Acquisition Program (PAA), Governor Renan Filho (PMDB) guaranteed the strengthening of the program in Alagoas by announcing the creation of a State PAA; "From now until the end of the year we will hold a large public event with the delivery of 120 more tractors. But the biggest event is creating the state PAA, as a temporary replacement for this neglect by the federal government towards the PAA. In this way, we will guarantee purchases for family farmers," said the governor.
By Kelly Cordeiro/Alagoas Agency - Contrary to the federal government, which announced cuts in resources for the Food Acquisition Program (PAA), Governor Renan Filho guaranteed the strengthening of the program in Alagoas, announcing the creation of a State PAA by the end of the year. The statement was made during the event of distributing 36 tractors and 44 agricultural implements to small producers from 38 municipalities, this Monday (21), in the courtyard of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Seagri).
"Between now and the end of the year, we will hold a large public event with the delivery of another 120 tractors. But the biggest event will be creating the state-level PAA (Food Acquisition Program), as a temporary replacement for the federal government's neglect of the PAA. In this way, we will guarantee purchases for family farmers," stated the governor.
Earlier, before the delivery of the machines, Renan Filho met with representatives of the Federation of Agricultural Workers of the State of Alagoas (Fetag) to define the future of the PAA (Food Acquisition Program) after the severe cut in federal funding. At the meeting, mediated by Senator Renan Calheiros, the governor pledged to sustain the program and expand investments, paying attention to the workers' main demands, such as greater participation in the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), the development of a plan to combat rural poverty, and the release of credit by the Alagoas Development Agency, Desenvolve.
"In 2014, the PAA (Food Acquisition Program) in Alagoas was one of the most significant among the states in the Northeast, with a transfer of R$ 24 million, and now it has been reduced to just over R$ 2 million in 2017. We cannot stand idly by. That is why I have already spoken with the governor and the vice-governor about how much progress is needed in this modality of acquiring products from family farming for school meals and to make an effort, within the limits of the legislation and in light of this decentralization of resources in educational units, to find a way to prioritize family farming," said Senator Renan Calheiros.
A commission from Fetag will still meet with the State Government to detail the increased investments promised by the governor during the meeting. The farmers also participated in the event for the delivery of tractors acquired through a parliamentary amendment by the senator, with resources totaling R$ 3,6 million from an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa). Also present were some state secretaries, deputies, and mayors who will receive the necessary assistance through Seagri and Emater to help their producers.
"Emater will partner with the Department of Agriculture to assist municipalities in ensuring that these tractors are used effectively to truly improve the lives of small farmers," emphasized the president of Emater, Carlos Dias.
"The distribution of tractors adds more value to family farmers and keeps people in rural areas. This year alone, there will be around 250 tractors, in addition to other equipment that we are about to deliver. With this, in 2018, our farmers will be able to prepare the soil in advance and plant at the beginning of the rainy season, allowing Alagoas to jump from third to first place in Brazil in grain production growth," concluded the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Álvaro Vasconcelos.