Funds were released through CrediAmbiental, a BNDES program that enables small producers in the Amazon to access rural credit, strengthening productive inclusion in sustainable chains
CrediAmbental, a network of social and environmental credit activators coordinated by Fundo Vale partner Conexsus, has released R$11 million from the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) via its National Program to Strengthen Family Farming (Pronaf). The funds will benefit 900 families of farmers and fishermen in the Amazon. “It’s important to note that 99% of these families accessed credit for the first time and more than 42% are households headed by women,” says Fernando Moretti, Conexsus’ social and environmental credit leader.
Among the projects that received funds from Pronaf, Moretti highlights actions aimed at the sustainable management of native açaí berries in Portel, on the island of Marajó in Pará; cocoa growing initiatives in areas along the Trans-Amazon Highway, such as Medicilândia, Altamira and Terra do Meio; and a pirarucu fish management project in Carauari, southern Amazonas, which benefits around 100 families. The latter is covered by the program’s Line B, aimed at producers with a gross annual income of up to R$50,000, which finances both agricultural and non-agricultural activities.
CrediAmbiental now has 55 social and environmental credit activators, all technicians from the region who are part of community businesses (associations or cooperatives) and who receive training and guidance from Conexsus on rural credit, credit operations, financial education and gender equity. In addition to rural credit, the activators also provide technical assistance to the families. “It’s what we call proximity financing. The activators know the families, the region and the crops involved,” Moretti explains.
“This achievement by Conexus represents an important milestone in strengthening the bioeconomy and expanding productive inclusion in the Amazon, supporting collective ventures that strengthen a fairer and more sustainable development model,” says Márcia Soares, Fundo Vale’s Amazon and partnerships manager.
About CrediAmbiental
CrediAmbiental is an innovative technical assistance program that combines local capacity building with increased financing to support the adoption of low-carbon production practices in sustainable value chains. Through ongoing technical and financial training, CrediAmbiental creates local networks of credit activators who locate small producers associated with community businesses, identify their rural credit needs and structure credit proposals to submit to Pronaf.