Rio, 9/19/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Ät the moment Brazil is on the verge of a record 122 million ton grain harvest. And more is to come. The concession of R$32.5 billion in loans for the farm sector this year will result in a record harvest of 125 million tons of grains next year, says Ivan Wedekin, secretary of Farm Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture . The amount of this year's farm sector financing is up 26%, compared to last year.

Wedekin says that other measures which are ensuring strong performance in the farm sector include an expenditure of R$5 billion for storage facilities, irrigation and pasturelands.

The secretary reports that with high production levels and a favorable exchange rate, 80% of Brazilian agricultural production will be exported. (AB)