EFFECTS OF THE AGROAMIGO PROGRAM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ANIMAL FARMING IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF THE STATE OF CEARÁ IN THE PERIOD FROM 2012 TO 2021

Abstract

Agroamigo is a rural microfinance program, promoted by the Banco do Nordeste (BNB), which seeks to serve family farmers of more vulnerable areas, such as the Brazilian Northeast, where the state of Ceará is located, object of study of this work. Given its relevance, it seeks to characterize the evolutionary dynamics of Agroamigo in Ceará and to analyze the effects of this program on the performance of animal farming in the municipalities of Ceará from 2012 to 2021. In order to achieve that, it was used the panel-data Tobit regression model, in which it was considered the Standard Animal Farming Performance Index as the dependent variable, as measured by the factor analysis technique, and as the main explanatory variables the average value and the total value of Agroamigo’s loans, the percentage of loans of this program taken out by women and the percentage of the value of Agroamigo’s loans for investment. The results revealed an increase in the value of Agroamigo’s loans taken out during the period being considered and that there is a positive effect on the performance of livestock production in Ceará.