The Ministry of Agriculture is discussing the demands of the rice farming sector in Rio Grande do Sul with financial institutions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), through the Secretariat of Agricultural Policy (SPA), held a videoconference meeting on Thursday (12) with representatives of the rice sector in Rio Grande do Sul, financial institutions and credit cooperatives to discuss measures related to the due dates of financing for rice production costs in the state in 2026. The meeting continued the meeting held on March 3, coordinated by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, with representatives of the sector, whose focus was the adoption of measures to support the production chain. During the meeting, representatives of the production sector reinforced concerns about the level of indebtedness and the ability to pay the installments of production costs, given the liquidity difficulties faced by rice producers, especially due to low market prices during this period of concentrated harvesting. Among the points discussed were proposals related to the governance and operation of rural credit, possible adjustments to the installment payment mechanisms, and the evaluation of operational limits applicable to financing lines, with the aim of increasing the predictability and financial sustainability of the activity. Representatives from the Rio Grande do Sul State Agriculture Federation (Farsul), the Rio Grande do Sul Rice Growers Associations Federation (Federarroz), as well as producers' associations and cooperatives participated in the meeting. Representatives from financial institutions such as Banco do Brasil, Banrisul, Sicredi, and Sicoob were also present. Representing the Ministry of Agriculture (Mapa) were the Secretary of Agricultural Policy, Guilherme Campos; the Deputy Secretary, Wilson Vaz de Araújo; the Director of Agricultural Sector Financing Policy, Tiago Dahdah; and the General Coordinator of Rural Credit, João Cláudio da Silva Souza. During the meeting, the financial institutions demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity regarding the situation faced by rice producers and showed willingness to grant any necessary extensions, under the originally contracted conditions and within compatible timeframes, subject to case-by-case analysis. The regulations foreseen in the Rural Credit Manual already contemplate this possibility, allowing for the adoption of these measures. According to Guilherme Campos, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) will continue to engage in dialogue with the productive sector and the financial system. “We will continue to evaluate alternatives that contribute to strengthening rice farming and improving agricultural policy instruments,” he emphasized.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.