2005年-世界发展银行全球_Brazil_-_Innovation_Increases_Land_Access_and_Incomes_of_Poor_Rural_Families_4页_399kb

Summary of Innovation Increases Land Access and Incomes of Poor Rural Families in Brazil

Core Content

The World Bank's Latin America and Caribbean Region has supported a community-led, market-based approach to land reform in Brazil, particularly in the Northeast, aimed at increasing land access and incomes for poor rural families. This model allows landless or under-resourced rural laborers and subsistence farmers to form beneficiary associations and directly purchase agricultural properties from willing sellers. The process is supported by a financing package that includes both repayable loans and grant funding for on-farm investments and social infrastructure.

Main Points

Land Reform Model Overview

• Approach: Community-led and market-based.
• Participants: Poor rural laborers and subsistence farmers.
• Method: Form associations to identify and negotiate land purchases.
• Financing: A "package" per family includes R$11,200 (approx. US$3,825), covering land acquisition and on-farm investments.
• Outcomes: Substantial income increases, improved agricultural productivity, and enhanced living conditions.

Key Implementation Stages

• Pilot Phase (1996–1997): The Ceará Rural Poverty Alleviation Project tested the model.
• Expanded Program (1998–2002): The Brazil Land Reform and Poverty Alleviation Pilot Project (Cedula da Terra – CT) settled 16,000 families on 425,000 hectares.
• National Scale (2001–present): The Land-Based Poverty Alleviation Project I (Credito Fundario) aims to benefit 50,000 families in 14 states, including peri-urban areas.

Principles and Process

• Decentralization: Empowers local communities and State Technical Units (STUs).
• Community Participation: Rural workers’ unions and civil society organizations are central to the process.
• Financing: Loans from government funds, managed by commercial banks, with a 20-year term and 3-year grace period.
• Complementary Investments: Grants for infrastructure, productive investments, and social facilities.
• Settlement Grant: R$1,300 (approx. US$445) per family for the first year.

Key Actors

• State Technical Units (STUs): Lead the approval and implementation process.
• Civil Society: Includes rural workers’ unions (sindicados), NGOs, and organizations like CONTAG.
• Semi-public Bodies: SEBRAE provides training, while the Church supports community mobilization.

Key Results

• Income Growth: Beneficiary family nominal income increased by 180% from R$2,057 to R$5,777 between 1998 and 2003.
• Poverty Reduction: Real income increased by 75%, significantly above the national poverty line.
• Employment: Created an average of 3.9 jobs per family, totaling at least 60,000 year-round jobs by 2002.
• Agricultural Output: Increased by 366% between 1998 and 2000, and 204% from 2000 to 2003.
• Social Impact: Improved housing, health, and education conditions, with a shift from off-farm to agricultural income.

Lessons Learned

• Agile Mechanism: Community-led land reform can be completed in an average of 90 days.
• Size of Properties: Most properties are modest in size, with associations of 10–30 families being optimal.
• Technical Assistance: Critical for early success and sustainability.
• Evaluation and Monitoring: Essential for identifying issues and adapting the program.
• Water Access: A major constraint in semi-arid regions, requiring special attention.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Continuous dialogue and support are vital for program expansion.

Sustainability Factors

• Community Ownership: High participation fosters social capital and ownership.
• Self-Selection: Results in higher-quality beneficiaries.
• Financial Viability: Most family farms are economically sustainable, especially in favorable agro-climatic zones.

Conclusion

The model has proven to be an effective and low-cost alternative to traditional land reform methods, promoting both economic and social development in rural Brazil. It has led to significant improvements in the livelihoods of poor rural families and demonstrated the potential of community-driven development in reducing poverty and enhancing land productivity.