February 20, 2013

Brazil's 2013 grain harvest to set record

Brazil's 2013 grain crop will hit record high of 185 million tonnes.

President Dilma Rousseff said Monday (Feb 18) in her weekly radio show.

The president praised the agriculture sector and attributed the expected harvest to credit expansion for producers, cheaper loans and greater investment, as well as to the country's rich soil and favourable climate.

"Brazil's government offered BRL115 billion (US$58.8 billion) to finance agribusiness and BRL18 million (US$9.2 million) for family farming," she said, adding that the spending on agricultural equipment rose 24% this year.

By now, mid-season farmers have already borrowed BRL72 billion (US$36.8 billion) of that amount, according to the president.

"All of that means better technology for farms and the result is that today we have one of the most efficient and modern agricultural sectors in the world," she said.

The president also highlighted the importance of family or small-scale farming, which supplies food to public schools in 70% of Brazil's towns.

"We want these figures to grow even higher. Not only will our children and youngsters benefit, the farmers' income will also increase," she said.