Brasília, 10/1/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The beginning of the 2003/2004 harvest season, which is in July and August, saw an increase of 32.5% in credit for the agricultural sector (for investments, cost supports and commercialization), compared to the same period last year. According to Ivan Wedekim, at the Ministry of Agriculture, the amount made available during those two months was R$5.16 billion, compared to R$3.90 billion, last year.

Wedekim reports that the total amount earmarked for the sector for the 2003/2004 harvest is R$32.5 billion. The harvest period runs until the end of June 2004. (AB)