Brasília, May 26, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - By the end of June, the Bank of Brazil (BB) intends to disburse the remainder of the total of US$ 1.1 billion (R$ 3.5 billion) in credits allotted to the National Program to Strengthen Family Farming (Pronaf). This volume of resources is 97% superior to the amount made available by the BB-Pronaf over the same period in the 2002/2003 crop year and represents 64% of the US$ 1.7 billion (R$ 5.4 billion) earmarked by the federal government for family farmers during the current crop year.

Through April, US$ 924 million (R$ 2.9) billion had been lent. Of this sum, two-thirds was used to cover operational expenses. 880 thousand rural producers were benefitted, 47% more than in the previous crop year, according to information furnished by the BB's press office.

According to the BB's executive manager of Agribusiness, Reinaldo Yokoyama, the goal is to distribute all the available funds by the close of the current crop year. "No available cent will remain paralyzed. Our intention is to give producers the chance to invest, generating jobs and income in their regions."

The increase in access to Pronaf credits is the result of partnerships between the BB and the Ministry of Agrarian Development, associations, unions, and cooperatives. In addition to measures, such as the creation of the simplified contract and the Pronaf Card, to streamline credit operations.

Reporter: Stênio Ribeiro
Translator: David Silberstein