Brazil's agribusiness gains new FAT credit line for innovation
On 20 March, Brazil’s Conselho Monetário Nacional (CMN) approved changes to the Fundo de Amparo ao Trabalhador (FAT) credit rules, allowing individual producers, sole‑proprietor entrepreneurs and workers in agribusiness, forest production, fishing and aquaculture to access subsidised financing. The funds are transferred to the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), which lends them at rates based on the Taxa Referencial (TR) and with interest support. The credit line is financed primarily by contributions to the PIS and Pasep programs.
The programme aims to finance technology adoption, digitalisation, equipment purchases and productivity‑boosting projects. The government expects the measure to stimulate demand for agricultural machinery, generate jobs, raise incomes and improve the sector’s competitiveness. The CMN decision was taken by ministers Dario Durigan (Finance), Gabriel Galípolo (Central Bank) and Bruno Moretti (Planning).