Rural credit and sustainability: the operationalization of the RenovAgro Program in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

In recent decades, Brazilian agribusiness has established itself as a strategic sector for economic growth, achieving significant productivity gains driven by technological modernization. However, this progress has also introduced socio-environmental challenges, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions and the degradation of agricultural land. In response, the federal government established the ABC Plan in 2010, subsequently updated to the ABC+ Plan (2020–2030)/RenovAgro, aiming to promote low-carbon agriculture and encourage sustainable practices such as Recovery of Degraded Pastures (RPD), the No-Till System (SPD), and Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (ILPF). This qualitative and exploratory study analyzes the operationalization of RenovAgro in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, based on interviews with rural producers, agricultural planning firm managers, and representatives of financial institutions. The results indicate that the program is recognized as a relevant instrument for increasing productivity and promoting sustainability in the field, especially through technologies such as SPD and Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF). However, interviewees point to obstacles related to bureaucracy and fluctuations in resource availability, factors that limit its reach. It is concluded that, although RenovAgro represents a significant advance in the integration of rural credit and sustainability, its effectiveness depends on greater institutional stability, simplified processes, and the expansion of government incentives.