Workshop demonstrates ways to access credit for investment in MT storage

Mato Grosso is expected to produce more than 30 million tons of soybeans in the 2017/18 harvest and, once again, is expected to experience a storage deficit. However, rural producers and credit agents still find it difficult to close deals for the construction of warehouses in the state. Therefore, this Tuesday (17) the Storage Project Workshop was held, organized by the Agricultural Policy committee of the Association of Soy and Corn Producers of Mato Grosso (Aprosoja).

After the regional rounds of the Armazena MT project, technicians verified the need for alignment between banks and designers, who are in direct contact with rural producers. “From this, the objective is to have greater effectiveness in presenting projects to banks. There is a need to build warehouses and there are resources for this. We have to join forces”, says Frederico Azevedo, Agricultural Policy manager at the association.

Banking agents pointed out some flaws that must be remedied by those interested in taking out credit for the construction of storage structures. According to Banco do Brasil, the most common are errors in preparing proposals and presenting projects with missing documents.

Rafael Mazzeo, administrator at the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), presented the conditions of the Warehouse Construction and Expansion Program (PCA). “We show how the indirect operation flow works with financial agents and where and why there are delays and operational difficulties in BNDES lines”, he explains.

The Legal Entities Market manager at Banco do Brasil in the Mato Grosso superintendence, Glaydson Cavalcanti, reinforces to rural producers that storage is extremely viable when using bank resources. “The payback is in four years and then the farmer has the silo available to better manage the storage on his property. This cost turns into revenue and increases profitability”, he assures.

He believes that many bureaucratic issues for granting credit have already been resolved, especially in relation to analyses, which has improved the financing agent's delivery time. “What the bank needs are good projects,” says Cavalcanti.

The manager adds that, combined with logistical efficiency, rural producers can also invest in energy efficiency. “With all the financing costs, this can immediately reduce 25% of electricity costs and make the farmer much more competitive,” he says.

The opportunity to listen to financing agents and resolve doubts about the projects was celebrated by rural producer Clóvis Albuquerque. “Our production is very good in the field, but when it comes to marketing we are strangled, as we are forced to sell quickly. Investment in storage provides security and is a great market opportunity. The silo is our bank”, he concludes.

To access all presentations, click here.