The Brazilian government has unveiled the Desenrola Rural program, which officially launched on February 24, 2025. This new initiative aims to assist family farmers and traditional communities burdened by debt, allowing them the opportunity to renegotiate their financial obligations with significant discounts reaching up to 96%.
According to the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, over 1.35 million farmers can benefit from this scheme. Many of these farmers have been struggling with financial difficulties for more than a year, and the program is geared toward enabling them to access agricultural credit once again.
The primary beneficiaries of the Desenrola Rural program include not only family farmers but also those involved with land reform, quilombola communities, and various traditional groups across Brazil. The initiative was sanctioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as part of the government’s broader effort to bolster Brazil's agricultural sector and improve food security.
Under this program, farmers currently facing debt can begin the renegotiation process immediately by visiting their banking institutions. The framework allows for the restructuring of debts under the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (Pronaf) and other financial obligations, such as loans from banks and outstanding debts registered with the Federal Debt Active (Dívida Ativa da União).
The Ministry announced key timelines for participation. For debts listed with the Federal Debt Active, interested parties must enroll by May 30, 2025. For debts under Pronaf and other financial institutions, the deadline extends to December 31, 2025. The intention is to alleviate the financial strain on farmers, enabling them to secure funding for their agricultural activities and increase the output of healthy food for the Brazilian populace.
A detailed report from the ministry emphasized the impact of the program, noting, "This measure will provide family farmers, land reform beneficiaries, and traditional communities the opportunity to renegotiate credits currently overdue. This approach aims to restore their access to rural credit facilities, thereby increasing the production of healthy food for the Brazilian table."
One of the significant aspects of the Desenrola Rural initiative is its accessibility. According to the ministry's data, approximately 70% of the 1.35 million farmers with overdue debts are listed as having restrictions with banks, and about 30% are affected by credit protection services due to overdue utility payments.
Some statistics presented indicate the range of financial issues these farmers face:
- 69% of the financial debts are valued at R$10,000 or less.
- 22% of debts fall between R$10,000 and R$50,000.
- 9% of the debts surpass R$50,000.
- Among non-financial debts, 47% represent amounts smaller than R$1,000.
The government also reassured participants, stating, "There will be no obstacles to obtaining new agricultural credits for family farmers who have minor debts related to unpaid utility bills, including water, electricity, or telephone services." This clarifies the initiative's commitment to not hindering farmers’ ability to secure new funding even if they have old debts.
For those interested in accessing the opportunities presented by the Desenrola Rural program, learning how to proceed is simple:
- Farmers listed with the Federal Debt Active should visit the Regularize portal using their CPF to check their debt status and explore their repayment options.
- Those with debts under Pronaf or bank loans should contact their financial institutions directly to begin the negotiation process.
- Farmers dealing with installation credit should seek assistance from the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) or access the Citizenship Room for debt settlement options.
- Lastly, unions, associations, and other representative entities can offer support and guidance to farmers seeking to enter the program.
The Desenrola Rural program is expected to deliver substantial benefits not only to individual farmers but also to the broader agricultural economy of Brazil. With projections of record harvests and enhanced food production capabilities, the initiative is positioning itself as key to the future of food security and agricultural sustainability within the nation.