Rural Credit in Maranhão (2020–2025): Distribution of Financing and Institutional Requirements for Granting

Abstract

Rural credit is a strategic instrument of agricultural policy, although its distribution may reveal territorial concentration and selectivity in access. This study analyzed the distribution of rural credit in Maranhão from 2020 to 2025 and systematized the main institutional and documentary requirements for its approval. A descriptive, bibliographic, and documentary study was conducted using a quantitative and qualitative approach, based on the Rural Credit Data Matrix and the Rural Credit Manual of the Central Bank of Brazil. The results showed BRL 51.16 billion contracted through 657,441 operations. The annual amount peaked in 2024 at BRL 12.93 billion, whereas the number of contracts reached its highest level in 2025, with 148,602 records. Operating credit accounted for 54.17% of the total amount and investment for 41.37%. In the municipal analysis of operating and investment credit, Balsas ranked first, followed by Bom Jesus das Selvas and Grajaú. The requirements involved registration, repayment capacity, collateral, budget, plan or technical project, and socio-environmental compliance. The findings indicate nominal expansion accompanied by concentration by purpose and territory, while institutional requirements, although designed to secure operations, may increase access costs for producers with limited documentary and technical capacity.