Conab and BNDES target R$80 million for Amazon family farming program starting in 2025

The Brazilian National Supply Company (Conab) and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) have announced a significant R$80 million investment aimed at strengthening family agriculture in the Amazon region. This funding, sourced from the Amazon Fund, will underpin the newly launched “Forest and Communities: Living Amazon” program, designed to foster sustainable socio-productive systems for local communities.

This strategic initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, January 3, 2025, represents a crucial step in supporting environmental management and economic empowerment within protected areas. The program’s core objective is to bolster the livelihoods of family producers residing in the Amazon, promoting both economic stability and ecological preservation through direct investment in their operations.

Fostering Sustainable Production and Technology

The comprehensive R$80 million allocation is structured to support four pivotal areas essential for the development and modernization of Amazonian family farming. These pillars address critical needs from cultivation incentives to the adoption of advanced techniques, ensuring a holistic approach to sustainable growth.

The primary focus is on productive development, offering resources to enhance existing agricultural practices and diversify income streams for local communities. This includes direct financial assistance and access to improved tools and methods for cultivation and harvesting.

Another significant portion of the funds will be dedicated to scientific and technological research, fostering innovation tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of the Amazonian environment. This aspect aims to introduce sustainable technologies that can boost efficiency and resilience in agricultural production.

Furthermore, the program emphasizes robust technical assistance, providing essential training and guidance to family farmers on best practices, sustainable land management, and market access strategies. This support is vital for improving overall productivity and ensuring long-term success.

Finally, a dedicated segment covers management and communication, aiming to enhance organizational capacities within communities and improve the flow of information regarding production, markets, and program benefits. This ensures transparency and efficient resource utilization across all initiatives.

Enhancing Infrastructure and Market Access

A key component of the “Forest and Communities: Living Amazon” program is its commitment to improving the logistical framework necessary for the efficient distribution of food products. Developing robust infrastructure for storage, transport, and commercialization is paramount for producers to effectively reach broader markets.

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The initiative aims to address existing bottlenecks in the supply chain, ensuring that high-quality, sustainably produced food from Amazonian communities can be transported and sold more effectively. This not only benefits the producers by increasing their sales but also provides consumers with access to locally sourced, genuine food products.

Regional Impact and Beneficiaries

The partnership between Conab and BNDES is projected to significantly boost sales for family producers across the Amazon Legal area, with specific allocations targeting states with substantial agricultural output. This targeted approach ensures that resources are distributed where they can have the most profound impact.

The states of Amazonas and Mato Grosso are set to receive R$15 million each, acknowledging their critical role in Amazonian agricultural production and their large number of family farming communities. These funds will support a wide range of local projects designed to increase output and market integration.

Pará, another vital state in the region, will be allocated R$14 million, recognizing its extensive agricultural landscape and the importance of its riverine and forest communities. The remaining states within the Amazon Legal – Acre, Amapá, Maranhão, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins – will each benefit from R$6 million.

Eligibility and Application Process for Communities

Cooperatives and associations play a crucial role in aggregating family producers and facilitating collective action. To be eligible for funding under the “Forest and Communities: Living Amazon” program, these entities must be headquartered in the Amazon Legal area and have been in operation for more than two years.

Additionally, to ensure broad community impact, eligible organizations must demonstrate that they support 15 or more family units. This criterion ensures that the program’s benefits are distributed widely, strengthening the collective capacity of producers. Applications are open and can be submitted through the Conab website, with the final list of selected beneficiaries scheduled for public disclosure on June 26, 2025.

Tereza Campello, socio-environmental director at BNDES, underscored the program’s broader implications. “This project will help produce and commercialize real food,” she stated, highlighting the focus on authentic and healthy food sources. “Most of the jobs generated by the Amazon Fund relate to food security,” Campello added, emphasizing the program’s vital contribution to regional employment and sustainable livelihoods.