Perceptions About the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (PRONAF): a Multidimensional Analysis

Abstract

This article analyzes the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture (Pronaf) from a multidimensional perspective, considering the beneficiaries’ perception of their income, housing and health conditions, and characteristics of the acquired financing. Additionally, we analyze how habitation, educational, financial, and health dimensions affect the perception of the quality of life. It was applied a survey with 263 beneficiaries from twenty-five municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and techniques of descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Financing resources are allowed to purchase equipment, machinery, and inputs, implementing direct improvements to the property and increasing production. Quality of life is considered by most respondents as good or very good. Health perception is the most significant dimension, indicating respondents’ satisfaction with their health and improvements in access to public health. However, challenges still present themselves in the areas of finance and education. It is concluded that, for the studied region and from the beneficiary’s point of view, the Program has been very positive, providing important improvements in the property and in the quality of life conditions, mainly in the health and housing of the farmers.