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Abstract: Recently, the agricultural sector has had to face several challenges related to the innovation process, the most significant of which seems to be that of its digital transformation. As a consequence, the issue of digital technology adoption is becoming of important scientific interest due to its potential impact on products, services, processes, and new business models. In general, the adoption behavior can be indirectly explained by studying factors that lead a firm to innovate; among these factors, the literature emphasizes the function of networks. The objective of the paper is to investigate the role of networks as key drivers of precision agriculture technologies adoption. To achieve this goal, qualitative research was developed by using 8 case studies recollected among that few Italian farms which can be defined as innovative for having already experienced precision agriculture. Results show that only a few farms can develop and manage innovations internally; success often requires cooperation between individual actors and organizations. Finally, the paper provides some practical advice and a set of propositions for those farms that are trying to achieve digital technological innovations.

Abstract: This paper aims to identify and analyze the factors that influence the decision of Mato Grosso’s farmers to produce soybean using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). We found evidence that decision-making of soybean production is related to rural production aspects such as climate, financing, cost of inputs, and soil quality rather than marketing and logistics. The novelty of this paper is the empirical analysis of the decision-making in agricultural production using AHP. The decision model was created and tested considering 21 farmers and 19 experts linked to the soybean production. Three different scenarios were considered: farmers' view, experts' view, and combined view. Our findings indicate that farmers and experts agree with rural aspects are predominant in the decision to plant soybean. Moreover, logistics have been used as an important flag of soybean competitiveness on international trade by soybean stakeholders in Brazil. However, our results show that logistics impact in the soybean decision-making process is low. Due to data limitation access, this study focuses only on Mato Grosso. However, this study has an exploratory character and presents empirical results that may help to understand soybean production over the country.

Abstract: Successive reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), enlargements of the European Union (EU) and pressures in the public budget increase the need for empirical studies to assess the role of subsidies in shaping firms’ performance and, hence, to support policy-makers decisions and decision-making in the productive sector. This paper assesses whether subsidies affect the technical efficiency of 1,943 Portuguese agribusiness firms over 2007-2015. By applying stochastic frontier models and fixed-effects models, to calculate the average efficiency of these firms, the results show different effects of subsidies among agribusiness sectors. The stochastic frontier model revealed that the subsidies have a positive and significant impact on the technical efficiency of three sectors, animal production, manufacture of food, and manufacture of paper. Further, except for firms in the forestry and logging sector, Portuguese agribusiness firms had higher average efficiency levels when subsidised, which provides evidence that subsidies could be important and contribute positively to the technical efficiency of Portuguese firms.

Abstract The article deals with a relevant theme regarding problems related to food supply. The losses accounted at production process and consumer food waste justify research on the subject. The purpose of this paper is to explain food waste intention using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical lens. In addition to measuring the influence of attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control on intention, additional constructs were introduced into the model. Affect, planning routines, food surplus, and environmental concerns were incorporated to fit a logistic regression model, presenting the probability of food waste occurrence as a proxy for the probability of intention to waste. An online questionnaire was developed to collect data from consumers in the Midwest of Brazil. The sample consisted of 419 responses. As a result, it was found that food waste occurred more in affluent households, fewer in number, better categorized as “waste people” by family and friends, and less adept at reusing leftovers or saving food. In general, the affective memory related to food corroborates the desire for an abundant table, making waste acceptable. This information is useful for the construction of action plans, public and private, aimed at behavioral changes related to waste.

Abstract This paper aims to assess efficiency in the public irrigation projects of Brazil. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model using a limited set of significant variables and adapted to the specific characteristics of existing public irrigation projects in the country was used. Then a Multiple Regression Analysis was performed to efficient irrigation projects to estimate other inputs that did not have been considered in the DEA model. The results indicate that 15 public projects out of the 34 studied, reached the technical efficiency score, as well as pure efficiency and scale efficiency. The work brings several new contributions to the literature on irrigation management and practical implications for decision makers. It is noteworthy that the results of the study can be useful for a better understanding of the general efficiency of public irrigation and what are its most determining factors.

Consumers are increasingly practicing an alternative model of politics when they make food choices influenced by civic concerns. The new markets that emerge in this context carry specific modes of qualification that makes food products valuable not only for their intrinsic properties, but also for features associated with their production and distribution. This paper aims to describe the different modes of political qualification and consumer engagement that operate in food markets based on secondary data collected in papers, books, certification norms, and websites. Three distinct "political food markets" are identified: a) Fair Trade; b) sustainable agriculture; and c) vegetarian. Whilst the latter is based on a boycott of "bad" products, the other two focus on "good" alternatives. Different types of political engagement are associated to these markets, ranging from a delegation form in Fair Trade, empowered consumption in sustainable agriculture, to a lifestyle engagement regarding vegetarianism. Market devices such as certification play a major role in the growth of these markets, but also affect the type of engagement that is solicited from consumers.

Consumers are increasingly practicing an alternative model of politics when they make food choices influenced by civic concerns. The new markets that emerge in this context carry specific modes of qualification that makes food products valuable not only for their intrinsic properties, but also for features associated with their production and distribution. This paper aims to describe the different modes of political qualification and consumer engagement that operate in food markets based on secondary data collected in papers, books, certification norms, and websites. Three distinct "political food markets" are identified: a) Fair Trade; b) sustainable agriculture; and c) vegetarian. Whilst the latter is based on a boycott of "bad" products, the other two focus on "good" alternatives. Different types of political engagement are associated to these markets, ranging from a delegation form in Fair Trade, empowered consumption in sustainable agriculture, to a lifestyle engagement regarding vegetarianism. Market devices such as certification play a major role in the growth of these markets, but also affect the type of engagement that is solicited from consumers.

This paper examines the governance of property rights on genetically modified (GM) soybean seeds. Specifically, the article undertakes a comparative analysis on the collection of royalties in GM soybean seeds in the U.S. and Brazil. For each country, the authors describe the regulatory framework governing the protection of biotechnology innovations in agriculture and investigate the mechanisms of royalty collection in GM soybean seeds. The paper also offers econometric evidence linking the capture of value on biotech innovations and the protection mechanisms deployed by biotech firms. The results suggest that, subject to the institutional environment, firms may choose to transact a GM attribute separated from the seed, building specialized governance structures framed around the genetic attribute and not around the seed as a whole.

This paper examines the governance of property rights on genetically modified (GM) soybean seeds. Specifically, the article undertakes a comparative analysis on the collection of royalties in GM soybean seeds in the U.S. and Brazil. For each country, the authors describe the regulatory framework governing the protection of biotechnology innovations in agriculture and investigate the mechanisms of royalty collection in GM soybean seeds. The paper also offers econometric evidence linking the capture of value on biotech innovations and the protection mechanisms deployed by biotech firms. The results suggest that, subject to the institutional environment, firms may choose to transact a GM attribute separated from the seed, building specialized governance structures framed around the genetic attribute and not around the seed as a whole.Este artigo examina a governança de direitos de propriedade em sementes transgênicas de soja. Especificamente, o estudo empreende uma análise comparativa sobre a cobrança de royalties em sementes transgênicas de soja nos EUA e no Brasil. Para cada país, os autores descrevem a estrutura regulatória que rege a proteção de inovações biotecnológicas na agricultura e investigam os mecanismos de cobrança de royalties em sementes transgênicas de soja. O artigo também examina evidências econométricas que relacionam a captura de valor sobre inovações biotecnológicas e os mecanismos de proteção utilizados por firmas de biotecnologia. Os resultados sugerem que, com base no ambiente institucional, uma firma pode optar por transacionar um atributo transgênico separado da semente, estabelecendo estruturas especializadas de governança que se emolduram em torno do atributo e não da semente em si.

Abstract: This paper projects and analyzes the regional impacts of climate change on the agricultural productivity of family farming and large-scale agriculture in Brazil between 2021 and 2050, using the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. The methodology adopted consists of a cross-sectional estimation of a production function in which agricultural productivity is determined by climatic, geographic, and productive factors. The study contributes to the literature by disaggregating agricultural production into family farming and large-scale agriculture, indicating the magnitude and direction of impacts by crops and regions in Brazil, a country with a great territorial dimension and relevant and heterogeneous agricultural production. The results indicate that the agricultural productivity of family farming is more sensitive and therefore this type of producer could be more vulnerable to the phenomenon. On average, the effects will be negative in the North/Northeast regions and for cassava, maize, beans, and soybeans, with possible impacts on deforestation and on food supply. Productivity gains are expected in the southern region and for the cultivation of sugar cane and soybeans. Deterioration of food security of the vulnerable farmers and regional disparities may increase in Brazil.

The growing complexity of supply chains poses new challenges for Agricultural Research Centers and statistical agencies. The aim of this perspective paper is to discuss the role of empirical research in understanding the complex forms of governance in agribusiness. The authors argue that there are three fundamental levels of analysis: (i) the basic structure of the market, (ii) the formal contractual arrangements that govern relations within the agroindustrial system and (iii) the transactional dimensions governed by non-contractual means. The case of the agrochemical industry in Brazil illustrates how traditional analyses that only address market structure are insufficient to fully explain the agricultural sector and its supply chain. The article concludes by suggesting some indicators which could be collected by statistical agencies to improve understanding of the complex relationships among agribusiness segments. In doing so, the paper seeks to minimize costs and to enable a better formulation of public and private policies.

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a tributação sobre os principais bens finais do setor sucroenergético, quais sejam açúcar e álcool. Para tanto, estima-se - a partir da metodologia de recolhimento da cada tributo - a carga tributária potencial incidente sobre estes produtos em todos os elos de suas cadeias no estado de São Paulo nos anos de 2000 e 2008. Os resultados apontam para uma carga tributária potencial de 23,04% do preço final do álcool hidratado e de 27,39% do preço final do açúcar cristal em 2008. Com o objetivo de mensurar a importância da isenção de alguns tributos às vendas externas, este artigo estima as diferenças em termos de carga tributária potencial entre o álcool/açúcar exportado e aquele vendido no mercado doméstico. A diferença da carga tributária incidente sobre o álcool exportado pela usina e aquele vendido para o mercado doméstico é estimada em 15,65 pp. Para o açúcar, essa diferença é de 21,25 pp. Por último, estima-se a carga tributária incidente sobre o setor no ano 2000 - que foi de 40,08% para o álcool hidratado e de 25,91% para o açúcar. Observa-se um aumento da carga incidente sobre o açúcar e redução da carga incidente sobre o álcool.This paper aims to analyze taxation on sugar and ethanol. Based on the payment of each tax, the potential tax burden on these products in all links of their chains in São Paulo state for the years 2000 and 2008 has been estimated. The results pointed to a potential tax burden of 23.04% of the final price of hydrous ethanol and 27.39% of the final price of crystal sugar in 2008. With the aim of measuring the importance of the exemption of some taxes on foreign sales, the article also estimates the difference in potential tax burden between ethanol exported and the one sold in the domestic market. The same is done for sugar. The difference of the tax burden on ethanol exported by the plant and ethanol sold to the domestic market is estimated at 15.65 pp. For sugar, this difference is 21.25 pp. Finally, in order to verify the evolution of the tax burden on the sugarcane industry, this paper estimates the tax burden on this sector for 2000, which was 40.08% for ethanol and 25.91% for sugar. There is an increasing burden on the sugar and a reduced burden on ethanol.

The growing complexity of supply chains poses new challenges for Agricultural Research Centers and statistical agencies. The aim of this perspective paper is to discuss the role of empirical research in understanding the complex forms of governance in agribusiness. The authors argue that there are three fundamental levels of analysis: (i) the basic structure of the market, (ii) the formal contractual arrangements that govern relations within the agroindustrial system and (iii) the transactional dimensions governed by non-contractual means. The case of the agrochemical industry in Brazil illustrates how traditional analyses that only address market structure are insufficient to fully explain the agricultural sector and its supply chain. The article concludes by suggesting some indicators which could be collected by statistical agencies to improve understanding of the complex relationships among agribusiness segments. In doing so, the paper seeks to minimize costs and to enable a better formulation of public and private policies.A crescente complexidade das relações entre os agentes das cadeias produtivas coloca novos desafios para os centros de pesquisa e estatística do setor agrícola. O objetivo do presente artigo é discutir o papel da pesquisa empírica para o entendimento das formas complexas de governança no setor agroindustrial. Os autores argumentam que há três níveis fundamentais de análise: (i) a estrutura básica do mercado, (ii) o regime contratual formal que rege as relações dentro do sistema agroindustrial e (iii) as dimensões transacionais governadas por meios não contratuais. O caso da indústria de agroquímicos no Brasil ilustra como as análises tradicionais que trazem apenas informações sobre a estrutura de mercado são insuficientes para se entender completamente o setor agrícola e sua cadeia produtiva. Conclui-se com algumas sugestões de indicadores que poderiam ser coletados pelos centros de estatística como forma de aprimorar o entendimento das relações complexas entre os segmentos agroindustriais, minimizando custos e resultando em melhor elaboração de ações de políticas públicas e privadas.

O censo agropecuário 1995-96 é utilizado para estudar os fatores responsáveis pelas diferenças na pobreza entre os estabelecimentos agrícolas no Brasil. As diferenças entre as regiões e as seguintes dicotomias são analisadas: proprietários/não proprietários; familiares/não familiares; intensivos em insumos/não intensivos; com/sem máquinas. O artigo utiliza uma metodologia semiparamétrica. Primeiro, uma função fronteira estocástica de lucro é estimada. Em seguida, simulações não paramétricas contrafactuais são utilizadas para identificar os fatores que explicam as diferenças em pobreza. Os fatores incluem o tamanho da propriedade, o trabalho familiar, a lucratividade e as variáveis utilizadas para explicar a lucratividade no modelo de fronteira estocástica. O artigo conclui que a falta de terra e os baixos níveis de produtividade são importantes motivos para a pobreza entre produtores agrícolas. É improvável que qualquer um deles isoladamente possa solucionar o problema da pobreza. As diferenças em "eficiência" - capturadas pelo termo de erro na função fronteira de lucro - são importantes para explicar as diferenças entre os pobres e os não pobres, mas não para as demais dicotomias estudadas. Isto sugere que os fatores não observáveis - como restrições ou falhas de mercado - são importantes para explicar a pobreza entre produtores agrícolas no Brasil.The 1995-96 agricultural census is used to explore factors that account for differences in poverty among agricultural establishments in Brazil. Differences across regions and the following dichotomies are analyzed: owners/non-owners, family/non-family, input intensive/non-intensive, with machines/without machines. The paper uses a semi-parametric methodology. First, a stochastic frontier profit function is estimated. Then, non-parametric counterfactual simulations are used to identify factors which explain differences in poverty. Factors include farm size, family labor, profitability and the variables used to explain profitability in the stochastic frontier model. The paper concludes that lack of land and low levels of productivity are both important reasons for poverty among agricultural producers. It is unlikely that either one alone could solve the poverty problem. Differences in "efficiency" - captured by the error term in the frontier profit function - are important to explain differences between the poor and non-poor, but not for any of the other dichotomies studied. This suggests that unobservable factors - such as restrictions or market failures - are important to explain poverty among agricultural producers in Brazil.

O objetivo deste artigo foi identificar sinais de excesso de confiança nos preços entre produtores de milho do Sul e do Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Entre outubro e novembro de 2008, 90 produtores foram selecionados para responderem questões relacionadas a seus conhecimentos do mercado futuro e a suas expectativas de preços. Uma grande parte dos entrevistados respondeu que não negociava contratos futuros por não possuir informação suficiente para isso. Os resultados revelaram que os produtores foram descalibrados quando estimaram os preços esperados na forma direta e indireta. Além disso, para a maior parte dos respondentes, a variância subjetiva obtida por meio dos questionários foi estatisticamente inferior à variância do mercado. Isto mostra que os produtores possuem uma percepção de risco inferior ao risco de mercado. Por fim, o artigo conclui que o efeito de excesso de confiança pode, parcialmente, explicar o baixo uso do mercado futuro de milho por parte dos produtores brasileiros, para garantir a proteção de preço do produto.This paper aimed to identify signs of overconfidence among corn producers in the Southern and Central-Western regions in Brazil. Between October and November 2008, 90 farmers were chosen to answer questions regarding their knowledge of futures markets and price expectations. Most part of agents surveyed answered that they do not trade futures contracts because they do not have enough information. Results showed that respondents were miscalibrated when estimating directly-stated and the indirectly-stated expected prices. In addition, for most respondents, subjective variance for corn proves to be significantly less than the market variance, implying that producers perceive a risk that is lower than that of the market. Finally, the paper concludes that the overconfidence effect can partially explain the low use of futures markets by Brazilian corn producers to hedge their production.

O principal objectivo deste artigo é conhecer as atitudes dos agricultores face à produção agrícola, ao apoio político e ao projecto de rega de Alqueva numa micro-região mediterrânica do Sul de Portugal, no contexto da Política Agrícola Comum (PAC) de 2003 e do Health-Check. Simultaneamente, pretende-se conhecer as intenções comportamentais destes agricultores frente à inovação tecnológica e ao futuro regadio público neste contexto político. Os resultados destacam que a grande maioria destes agricultores constituem um grupo relativamente homogéneo face às suas atitudes. Este cluster mantém uma mentalidade muito produtivista, um forte desejo de manter um foco agrícola, rejeitando veementemente noções de liberalização política. Apesar de possuírem elevada capacidade inovadora e de estarem conscientes da importância do seu contributo na defesa do mundo rural, reconhecem que as futuras condições institucionais da PAC, do fornecimento da água do regadio de Alqueva e das condições de acesso ao crédito, lhes poderá comprometer os seus planos inovadores no futuro. Por isso, conclui-se que é necessário compreender as especificidades da agricultura regional nos diversos países da União Europeia para que as políticas tenham êxito local. No caso português, são necessários estudos mais abrangentes de forma a encontrar resultados mais consistentes.The main purpose of this paper is to know farmer' attitudes face to the agricultural production, the political support and the irrigation project of Alqueva in the context of the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and the Health-Check, in a micro-region located near the Mediterranean Sea, in the Southern region of Portugal. At the same time, this paper also aims to understand the behavioural intentions of farmers face to the technological innovation and the future of the irrigation project in this political context. Results show that the majority of farmers are a relatively homogeneous cluster about their attitudes and behavioural intentions. These farmers still maintain a productivist mindset, a strong wish to maintain an agricultural focus and they strongly reject the notions of policy liberalisation. Although they have a great potential of innovation and being aware of the importance of their contribution in the protection of the rural environment, they recognize that the future CAP, the water supply irrigation price and the conditions of access to agricultural credit, could compromise their innovation capacity in the future. The conclusions suggest that it is necessary to understand the particularities of a regional agriculture in different countries in the European Union so the policies can take place successfully. In the Portuguese case, more comprehensive studies are necessary in order to find more consistent results.

Com o passar dos anos, o Pronaf (Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar) foi se estruturando e ampliou significativamente seu campo de atuação. Além do aumento dos recursos, contratos e número de agricultores beneficiados, uma importante inovação desse programa foi a inclusão de novas linhas de financiamento, seja através da inserção de segmentos até então renegados pelas políticas agrícolas ou pelo reconhecimento e legitimação das atividades diferenciadas no meio rural, como é o caso da agroindustrialização em escala familiar. O objetivo central desse artigo é analisar a política de crédito rural direcionada às agroindústrias familiares (Pronaf-Agroindústria), trazendo em evidência a constituição, elaboração, implementação e os resultados alcançados por essa linha de financiamento. Além disso, é discutido o processo de reformulação das condições de acesso ao crédito ao longo dos últimos anos, problematizando o novo portfólio que se alcançou com a efetivação do Programa Mais Alimentos. Os resultados deste trabalho destacam a flexibilização das condições financeiras do Pronaf-Agroindústria (redução da taxa de juros, aumento do teto financiado e alastramento no público-alvo), alterando significativamente o foco de atuação da política (que deixa de ser exclusivamente as pequenas agroindústrias familiares e passa a englobar, também, as grandes cooperativas de leite).During the years, since its implementation, Pronaf has become more structured and has significantly increased its action field. Alongside the increase of resources, contracts, and number of benefited agriculturists, an important innovation of this program was the inclusion of new lines of funding, either through inserting segments until then, excluded from the agricultural policies, or including, recognizing, and legitimizing different activities performed in rural areas, such as familiar agroindrustialization. This paper aims to analyze the family agroindustry oriented rural credit policy (Pronaf-agroindustry), evidencing the constitution, elaboration, implementation and results of this line of funding. Moreover, the paper discusses the process of reformulation in the access conditions to the credit during recent years, analyzing the new portfolio constituted by a program called Mais Alimentos. The results of this paper highlight the flexibility of Pronaf-Agroindustry's financial conditions (reduction of interest rate, increase of the financed ceiling, and spread of the target public), which changes significantly the policy focus (it no longer benefits small family agroindustries exclusively, but also includes major milk cooperatives).

Em Portugal, as ciências sociais têm estudado a agricultura familiar a partir de um modelo de interpretação dualista que acentua as diferenças inter-regionais, marginalizando, até certo ponto, o significado sociológico de algumas continuidades que se estabeleciam (e se estabelecem) entre as zonas do Norte e do Sul ou entre o Litoral e o Interior. O presente estudo pretende, assim, construir uma perspectiva diferente sobre as modalidades de agricultura familiar em Portugal, procurando identificar, num primeiro momento, uma série de proximidades sociológicas entre os diferentes modos de organização (tradicionais e modernos) das famílias agrícolas e, consequentemente, traçar os eixos para um modelo mais complexo na análise dessas mesmas modalidades.The main goal of this paper is to produce a critical analysis regarding the conception of multiple activities in the Portuguese rural society. This work questions the classic vision of the country that delineates a rigid territorial and sociological divisions (for instance, the distinction between Northern and the Southern region) from which it tends to characterize different types of agriculture. Considering this conception, the paper proposes a different perspective that is capable to integrate differences and resemblances, between some of the social and the economic aspects that have redefined the family organization and their work activities.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo mensurar os efeitos quantitativos sobre as exportações de commodities agrícolas das cooperativas brasileiras em função de cenários diversos baseados nas possibilidades de negociação comercial que se colocam para o Brasil. Assim tem-se ênfase nas exportações de commodities onde há uma maior influência do movimento cooperativo. Um modelo computável de equilíbrio geral é utilizado para simular cenários alternativos de abertura comercial para a economia brasileira e seus impactos sobre os setores de interesse. Resultados de estudos anteriores também são considerados. Buscou-se identificar quais seriam os interesses maiores para as cooperativas do Brasil nas negociações desses acordos, considerando os impactos esperados sobre produção e fluxos comerciais. Os resultados mais favoráveis, considerando os cenários considerados e os setores de elevada participação das cooperativas podem ser resumidos como: uma liberalização multilateral parcial para os setores de aves e suínos e de soja, um acordo comercial Mercosul-UE para os setores de soja e café, e a Alca completa para o setor de café.Our goal in this paper is to evaluate the quantitative effects on exports of agricultural commodities of Brazilian cooperatives from several scenarios of possible trade agreements faced by Brazil. This paper is focused on exports of commodities under higher influence of cooperative firms. We use a computable general equilibrium model to simulate alternative scenarios of trade liberalization for Brazilian economy and their impacts on the sectors on focus. We also consider results from the previous studies. We seek to identify main interests to the Brazilian cooperatives on the negotiation of such agreements, considering impacts on production and the flow of trade. The best outcomes considering those sectors with high cooperative participation and trade agreements considered here could be summarized as: a partial multilateral liberalization for the poultry, pork and soybean sectors; an agreement Mercosul-EU for the soybean and coffee sectors; and full liberalization FTAA for the coffee sector.

Programas de transferência condicionada de renda são políticas sociais correntemente empregadas para combater e reduzir a pobreza em diversos países. No curto prazo, esses programas visam aliviar os problemas decorrentes da situação de pobreza, sendo que, no longo prazo, o objetivo é investir no capital humano, quebrando o ciclo intergeracional da pobreza. Estudos têm sido realizados para avaliar os impactos desses programas sobre variáveis como freqüência escolar, trabalho infantil, gastos com alimentação, entre outros. Este trabalho avalia o impacto da transferência de renda do Programa Bolsa Família sobre os gastos com alimentos de famílias rurais. As estimações foram feitas com base no método de Propensity Score Matching (PSM), que corrige para o viés de seleção amostral. Os resultados mostram que o valor médio das despesas anuais para as famílias beneficiárias supera em R$ 246 os gastos totais das famílias não-participantes. Considerando que a média anual recebida por essas famílias é de R$ 278, pode-se inferir que 88% desse valor é utilizado para consumo de alimento. Portanto, o programa de transferência condicionada Bolsa Família exerce um impacto positivo sobre o consumo de alimentos dessas famílias selecionadas.Conditional income transfer programs are social policies currently adopted to reduce poverty in several countries. These conditional transfer schemes have a goal to alleviate some of the consequences of poverty in the short run and increase human capital in the long run changing the intergenerational poverty cycle. Several papers evaluate the impact of income transfer on school attendance, child work and food expenses, among others. This paper analyzes the impact of the Bolsa Família Program on food expenses of rural families. The Propensity Score Method was used to correct sample selection bias. Results show that annual food expenses increased 246 reais in relation to non participant families. Considering that average annual transfer to these families is 278 reais, it can be concluded that 88% of the transfer is expend in food products. Thus, Bolsa Família brings a positive impact on food consumption of the benefited families.