Ensure the production of healthy food by family farming. This is the objective of the modality of acquiring seeds through the Food Acquisition Program (PAA). This year, the Ministry of Social Development (MDS) foresees the initial budget of R $ 7 million for the purchase of seeds. According to the OCB, thus, cooperatives and other agencies interested in distributing to small producers throughout the country have until April 30 to present the Distribution Plan to the National Supply Company (Conab), responsible for the execution of the value.
The following bodies may participate: Special Secretariat for Family Agriculture and Agrarian Development, including through the federal districts of Agrarian Development; National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra), also through regional superintendencies; National Indian Foundation (Funai); Palmares Cultural Foundation (FCP); Chico Mendes Institute (ICMBIO); and the states, including through their State Secretariats of Agriculture or the like, and their public entities of technical assistance and rural extension, as well as cooperatives.
According to the Director of the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) of MDS, José Paulo de Almeida, PAA Sementes aims to ensure food security and generate income for families. “It is very important because many farmers have difficulty acquiring seeds. With distribution, they have the quality assurance of what they are planting and an increase in productivity, “he explained.
In the destination of the seeds, the families of family farmers registered in the Cadastro Único, women, settlers, indigenous peoples, quilombolas and other traditional peoples and communities are prioritized. After the seeds have been used in the planting, the products can be resold to the federal government through the Purchase with Simultaneous Donation modality of the PAA, which benefits nurseries, schools and public and private entities of the social assistance network.