Desempenho e desigualdades no crédito agrícola do PRONAF: evidências dos microdados do Maranhão e implicações para políticas públicas

Abstract

The National Program for Strengthening Family Farming (PRONAF) represents one of the most significant Brazilian public policies for rural development and the bolstering of family agriculture. This study aims to analyze the inequalities in access to PRONAF agricultural credit in the state of Maranhão, utilizing microdata to examine the implications for rural development public policies. The geographical scope is justified by Maranhão's substantial rural population and the significant contingent of family farmers within the state. Methodologically, a quantitative approach based on microdata is adopted, drawing from sources such as the National Financial System, the 2017 Agricultural Census, and PRONAF administrative data. The analytical methods employed include descriptive statistical analysis and an analysis of resource and contract distribution. The results highlight significant disparities in the program's resource distribution, revealing patterns of inequality that compromise its effectiveness. A concentration of resources in specific regions and beneficiary groups is identified, creating asymmetries in access to agricultural credit. The analysis demonstrates that socioeconomic, geographical, and institutional factors influence the program's performance. Key contributions include an empirical analysis of PRONAF within the regional context, the use of microdata for public policy evaluation, and the identification of specific inequality patterns. It is concluded that, although PRONAF represents an important public policy instrument for family farming, significant challenges persist regarding equity in resource distribution. A reformulation of implementation strategies is recommended, aiming for greater effectiveness, social inclusion, and a reduction in regional inequalities in access to rural credit.