Public Milk Powder Purchases Boost Family Farming in Rio Grande do Sul

The government of Rio Grande do Sul has allocated R$ 30 million to purchase at least 740 tonnes of milk powder from family farming cooperatives. This move is part of the Programa Estadual de Compras da Agricultura Familiar (Pecaf) and aims to stimulate both agriculture and social assistance policies.

Nine cooperatives were selected through a public call to supply the milk powder, with funds sourced from the Fundo do Plano Rio Grande (Funrigs). The initiative is split between social assistance and the prison system.

Approximately 540 tonnes, costing R$ 22.1 million, will be distributed to the Pontos Populares de Soberania e Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (Ppssan) and social assistance networks across 17 municipalities. The distribution targets families in social vulnerability and food insecurity, with local governments managing storage and delivery. Monthly distributions are planned to start this semester and will continue for a year.

The remaining 200 tonnes, worth R$ 8.1 million, are designated for the prison system. Eight cooperatives will handle production and delivery to prison facilities under the supervision of the Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Rural (SDR).

Gustavo Segabinazzi Saldanha, Secretary of Social Development, noted that the program aims to combat food insecurity while supporting local economies and small rural producers. The municipalities involved were chosen based on criteria such as the declaration of public calamity due to severe weather in 2024 and the presence of recognized Ppssan points.

The initiative underscores the role of public procurement in enhancing local agricultural markets and addressing social issues simultaneously.