BNDES opens R$ 40 million fund for family farming bioinputs

The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) is accepting proposals for its second cycle of the BNDES Bioinsumos program. The national call offers R$ 40 million in non-reimbursable resources specifically aimed at supporting family farming.

Eligible applicants include non-profit private legal entities, which may apply individually or through partnerships. The ultimate beneficiaries must be cooperatives and associations of family farmers involved in the collective production, value addition, or commercialization of food.

Each proposal must total at least R$ 5 million, including the required counterpart funding. BNDES may cover up to 90% of the investment, though this limit decreases to 50% for projects exceeding R$ 10 million or for applicants with high average annual free revenue. The current cycle prioritizes proposals from the North and Northeast regions of Brazil.