EVOLUTION, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND EFFECTS OF AGROAMIGO IN ALAGOANA’S AGRICULTURE

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the evolution, spatial distribution, and effect of the Agroamigo Program on agricultural production in Alagoas, from 2005 to 2022. To achieve this goal, it relied on descriptive statistics, exploratory analysis of spatial data, and cluster analysis to explore the similarity structure among the municipalities covered by the microcredit program Agroamigo. Additionally, we applied a fixed-effects panel regression analysis. The main results indicate a strong growth in expenditures and the number of operations of the Agroamigo Program, with significant participation of women in receiving this microcredit. The spatial analysis revealed patterns of local spatial dependence, with the formation of regions with high values of operations and expenditures, while other municipalities showed low neighboring values. The econometric models indicated an effect of the program on the production of animal products, confirming the extensive participation of livestock in receiving the resources. Finally, the study demonstrates the importance of the Program for Alagoas, but challenges about the concentration of credit in the livestock sector, which received, on average, 76% of the resources during the period