Banco do Nordeste makes R$ 10,2 billion available to family farmers in the 2025/2026 harvest.
The money will be invested in benefits such as technical assistance, rural credit policies, and agricultural insurance.
247 - Family farmers throughout the Banco do Nordeste (BNB) area of operation will have access to R$ 10,2 billion in credit for operating costs, investment and strengthening production in the 2025/2026 cycle. Of the total amount, R$ 1,2 billion will be allocated to Pernambuco. This Monday (30), President Lula announced R$ 89 billion for Brazilian family farming. The money will be invested in rural credit policies, public procurement, agricultural insurance, technical assistance, minimum price guarantee, among other benefits. Of the total, R$ 78,2 billion are resources from Pronaf - the National Program for Strengthening Family Farming, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The harvest begins this Tuesday, July 1st, and runs until June 30, 2026.
According to the president of BNB, Paulo Câmara, the money available at the bank for family farming is in line with the federal government's record investment in the sector. “Banco do Nordeste has a strategic role in the execution of Pronaf in our region. We act as the main credit operator for family farming, following the guidelines for productive inclusion and sustainable development advocated by President Lula,” he stated.
Commenting on the program, the federal government stated that the rate remains at just 3% for financing the production of food such as rice, beans, cassava, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and milk – dropping to 2% when the cultivation is organic or agroecological.
The federal administration also said that the plan provides more incentives for the mechanization of agriculture, within the context of the More Food Program. The limit for the purchase of smaller machines and equipment has been increased from R$ 50 to R$ 100, while maintaining the interest rate at only 2,5%. For larger machines, up to R$ 250, the interest rate is 5%.
For the new harvest, resources from Banco do Nordeste will follow guidelines that encompass everything from agricultural mechanization to sustainable practices, including initiatives such as Agroamigo Mulher (Women's Agro-Friend), Agroamigo Jovem (Youth Agro-Friend), and strategies focused on connectivity in the countryside, renewable energies, the empowerment of traditional communities, and rural tourism.
The effects of targeted rural credit extend beyond the field. Analysis by the Northeast Economic Studies Technical Office (Etene), based on the Regional Input-Output Matrix, indicates that the R$ 9,6 billion contracted by BNB with FNE-Pronaf resources in the previous Harvest Plan contributed to generating or maintaining approximately 113 jobs. It is estimated that this volume resulted in an increase of R$ 2,1 billion in the region's total wages, R$ 502 million in tax revenue, R$ 10,5 billion in Gross Production Value, and R$ 4,6 billion in Added Value to the Brazilian economy.
Agroamigo
In 2025, Banco do Nordeste will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Agroamigo, the largest rural microcredit program in Latin America. Created with the goal of promoting productive inclusion and strengthening family farming, Agroamigo follows the rules of the National Program for Productive Oriented Microcredit (PNMPO) and has become an international benchmark in sustainable rural development. In addition to access to credit, the program offers technical guidance and support for the productive base in the field.
Over two decades, Agroamigo has provided nearly R$ 46 billion in 8,5 million transactions, reaching 3 million clients with a historical repayment rate of 97,5%. It is estimated that approximately 16 million people have benefited directly or indirectly. Operating in 2.070 municipalities, the program's structure includes 1.480 microcredit agents and 310 service units, coordinated by 17 regional offices in partnership with the Instituto Nordeste Cidadania (Inec), the bank reported.
