Governor proposed discussion of farmers’ debts; on a visit, ministers officialize resources to combat drought
The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), said this Thursday (23.Feb.2023) that only the transfer of R$ 430 million made by the federal government to fight the drought and its effects in the State is not enough to solve the problem. Until the latest Civil Defense update, 341 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul declared a state of emergency due to the drought.
According to Leite, in addition to the release of funds, it is necessary, for example, to move forward in the discussion of extending farmers’ debts in Pronaf (Family Farming Strengthening Program) and Pronampe (National Support Program for Micro and Small Businesses).
“The BRL 430 million we received as a very important initial step, but we need more. We can move forward on other agendas, such as the issue of Pronaf debts [Programa de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar]in Pronampe [Programa Nacional de Apoio às Microempresas e Empresas de Pequeno Porte] that farmers have and that need to be postponed”he stated.
The Minister of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeirastated that he will take the proposal to extend the debts of rural producers in the state of Rio Grande do Sul with Pronaf and Pronampe to the Ministry of Finance.
“The issue will be discussed with the Ministry of Finance regarding the extension of these debts, bearing in mind that it is already the 3rd year of the drought and people are accumulating financing and their income is falling. But this is a study that will be done and announced later”, told reporters.
The statements were given during ceremony in Hulha Negra (380 km from Porto Alegre) this 5th (23.Feb). At the time, the R$ 430 million in funds announced on Wednesday (Feb 22) to face the drought in Rio Grande Sul were made official and detailed by the entourage of the federal government (read below).
In addition to the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, the following were present:
- Paulo Teixeira – Minister of Agrarian Development;
- Wellington Dias – Minister of Development and Social Assistance;
- Paulo Pimenta – minister of Secom (Secretary of Social Communication);
- Edegar Pretto – President of Conab (National Supply Company);
- Iraja Lacerda – executive secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture;
- Renato Machado (PP) – mayor of Hulha Negra (RS).
Other congresswomen, such as federal deputy Maria do Rosário (PT-RS), and representatives of social movements involved with agrarian issues, such as the MST (Movement of Landless Rural Workers), were also at the event that made the transfer of funds official by the federal government.
Watch the ceremony (1h12min56s):
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:
- Brazil Aid – anticipation of payment for the 6th (Feb 24) and the unification of the benefit calendar for the next month to March 20;
- Rural Development – non-refundable emergency payment of up to R$2,400 to around 10,000 extremely poor families in the Single Registry in the region. It will be made in two installments (totaling BRL 24 million), also on March 20, and the amount will be assessed individually;
- PAA (Food Acquisition Program) – BRL 5 million in food for up to 35,000 families in municipalities affected by the drought. Distribution will begin with the indigenous people of the Guarita reserve.
MINISTRY OF AGRARIAN DEVELOPMENT
- Installation Credit – R$ 50 million will be allocated to up to 10,000 families settled in municipalities that are in a decreed emergency situation. Each family will receive R$ 5,200 reais for the purchase of essential items, durable goods for domestic use and production equipment. The credit has a 90% rebate;
- Rural Productive Microcredit known as Pronaf B – BRL 250 million for the most vulnerable family farmers located in regions affected by the drought. It will be operated by Banco do Brasil. The goal is to serve up to 40,000 family farmers with annual income of up to R$ 23,000. Family farmers can contract up to BRL 6,000.00 reais with an interest rate of 0.5% pa, 25% non-default bonus and a repayment period of 2 years.
MINISTRY OF INTEGRATION AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Up to BRL 100 million – to serve 300 municipalities for 3 months. They will be aid to hire and supply water trucks, among other ministry actions.
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