Enviro News Asia, Dois Irmãos — Indigenous farmers in Acre have gained immediate access to payments for agricultural products sold under Brazil’s Food Acquisition Program (Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos/PAA), following the direct distribution of activated bank cards to communities in remote forest areas.
The initiative took place on 22–23 January in the Alto Rio Purus Indigenous Territory, specifically at Dois Irmãos Village, where farmers received PAA payment cards that were already activated and ready for use. The action was carried out by the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) in cooperation with Banco do Brasil and the National Indigenous Peoples Foundation (Funai).
The operation aimed to overcome severe geographic barriers that previously forced Indigenous farmers to travel for up to 15 hours by river and road to access banking services. With the cards delivered directly to the village, beneficiaries can now withdraw or use their income immediately after supplying food to the program.
To ensure delivery, one MDS official and two Banco do Brasil representatives departed from Manoel Urbano, Acre, and traveled by river to the Indigenous territory, with logistical support and community mediation provided by Funai. All cards were distributed with debit functions enabled and personal identification numbers already activated.
Local farmers reported that the new system significantly reduces costs and risks. Tiago Domingos Kaxinawá, a supplier of bananas and cassava, said previous payments were often reduced by travel expenses to the nearest bank branch in Sena Madureira. He noted that receiving the cards in the village allows families to retain their full income.
Community leaders emphasized the social impact of the initiative. Chief Francisco Kaxinawá said the program supports families with limited income and improves access to essential goods. Other beneficiaries reported tangible improvements, including the ability to invest in boats for transportation and to supply locally produced food to schools.
The PAA enables Indigenous family farmers to sell products such as bananas, cassava, peanuts, fish, poultry, and pork directly to the federal government, with payments deposited into individual accounts. In remote regions like Alto Rio Purus, on-site card delivery has become a critical mechanism to ensure that public policy benefits reach intended recipients.
According to Hélcio Lima, Head of Projects at the Department for the Acquisition and Distribution of Healthy Foods (Depad/MDS), the operation required weeks of logistical planning but was essential to guarantee Indigenous peoples’ access to public programs. He confirmed that all cards were successfully delivered and activated.
Beyond income generation, the Indigenous PAA strengthens local food production, supports traditional farming practices, and enhances food and nutritional security. Acquired products are redistributed within Indigenous communities. The program is implemented by MDS in partnership with the Government of Acre, the State Secretariat of Agriculture, the Municipality of Santa Rosa do Purus, the Kaxinawá Producers Association of Dois Irmãos Village, and Funai.
The Government of Acre and MDS have allocated more than R$4.2 million to food acquisition for food-insecure families across the state. In December 2025, the federal government added an additional R$4 million to ensure the continuity of the program in the Alto Rio Purus Indigenous Territory.
Established in 2003, the Food Acquisition Program expanded its focus on Indigenous peoples and traditional communities following reforms introduced in 2023. The program currently operates in 19 states across all regions of Brazil. (*)
