Contribuição do Pronaf e do acesso à internet no valor da produção e venda da agroindústria brasileira

Abstract

Investigates the direct and indirect effects of the National Family Farming Strengthening Program (PRONAF) on the production and sale values of rural agro-industry in the Brazilian states, considering the role of the mediator, access to the internet. The Causal Mediation Effect Method, applied to the 2017 Agricultural Census data, is used. The results reveal that a significant portion of Pronaf’s impact on production and sale values occurs indirectly, by mediation of technical information obtained over the internet. The fact that it does not consider this mediation leads to overestimation of results. In addition, it is found that the values obtained are not only attributable to Pronaf, but are also influenced by the availability of technical information accessed over the internet. Therefore, this experiment highlights the importance, not only from Pronaf, but also of internet access to the development of rural agro-industry in the Brazilian states. The results indicate the need for producers to receive technical assistance, both through Pronaf and through the Internet to improve their production and sale results. These contributions have important implications for policies and practices aimed at promoting sustainable development.