AGROAMIGO: PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY AND CONNECTIVITY IN RURAL AREAS

Abstract

This article aims to examine three new credit modalities of the Agroamigo Program, called Sol (Sun), Água (Water), and Net. The purposes and target audiences are analysed, as well as the evolution of the number of hires and the clients benefited according to gender and age group. The data was provided by the Environment of Microfinance and Rural Miniproducers of the Banco do Nordeste do Brasil (BNB) and the study included the area of operation of the Superintendence of Development of the Northeast (Sudene). Monetary values were updated to 2022 using the IPCA. Agroamigo Sol aims to facilitate access to solar energy in rural areas. Since its launch in 2018, R$ 42.5 million has been disbursed to 4,527 customers. Agroamigo Água, in turn, has the purpose of financing projects focused on water security in the Semi-Arid Region. In just three years of existence, approximately 67,000 customers have been served with R$ 216.1 million in loans. Agroamigo Net contributes to digital inclusion in rural areas, having served 785 people and contracting an amount of R$ 1.8 million in just two years of operation.