Pequenos produtores e crédito rural numa área de atuação do programa Polonordeste: o caso do município de São Mamede do seridó paraibano.

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to analyse the participation of snail cotton producers in the rural credit component of the POLONORDESTE Programme in the Municipality of Sao Mamede of the Serido Paraibano. The study focuses on the poor participation of small producers in the Programme. The period studied was from April, 1977 to March, 1983. Data was collected through the use of secundary sources and a comple mentary period of fieldwork dating from May to July, 1983. The findings reveal that the subsidised rural ere dit was not sufficient to keep the small producer in the Programme; those who left the Programme were the poorest. The highest degree of avoidance to modern techniques was strongest among those sub—categories in which the aim of production was to attend the basic subsistence needs and were therefore more vulnerable to risk. As conclusion it is shown that it is not sufficient to give orientation and subsidized credit is not enough. It becomes clear that what is necessary is to give real conditions for producers to use modern techniques. As real support is not given, fears of risk impede the small producer from adopting innovations and consequently from looking for further credit benefits.