Files
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the Pronaf ’s ability to help reducing the gap between
potential yield and actual output of agriculture in Tocantins. In terms of methodology, in
addition to descriptive analyses, linear regression of the average and quantile regression
were used. The research focused on Tocantins State, covering all municipalities (units of
analysis), from 2002 to 2009. It was highlighted: the relative importance of agriculture
for the economy in Tocantins, the significant participation of family agriculture in total
industry output and the significant presence of Pronaf, which, apart from helping the process of legitimizing the family farm, as noted in early studies, has been shown capable to stimulate the production
of plant and animal municipalities. Moreover, given the specificities of Pronaf in Tocantins, in terms of coverage
and resource allocation, it is assumed that the findings give the program characteristics that also contribute for the
process of reducing inequality in the state. However, although the program deserves the attention of policy makers,
given their ability to stimulate local agricultural production, one must conceive it as a complementary intervention,
since the family work, as recorded in literature, proved to be crucial in the productive performance of family farming.