São Francisco Waterway Reactivation Could Expand Markets for Family Farming

Five municipalities in the logistics corridor gather 10.6 thousand family establishments; the resumption of navigation seeks to reduce costs and improve the outflow of regional production.

Published on 11/03/2026 10:34

Through the HN-500 program, training for communities and small producers is also planned for activities of receiving and outflowing agricultural production by river. Photo: SG Denis Rocha/ Brazilian Navy

The reactivation of the São Francisco Waterway, currently under study by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) and the Companhia das Docas do Estado da Bahia (Codeba), could expand alternatives for agricultural production outflow and facilitate family farming's access to new markets. Five municipalities in the logistics corridor between Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Pernambuco gather 10,628 family establishments, equivalent to 63.87% of the total agricultural establishments in these municipalities.

The data comes from the 2017 Agricultural Census (the latest census available) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), provided by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).

In total, Petrolina (PE), Juazeiro (BA), Ibotirama (BA), Sobradinho (BA), and Pirapora (MG) sum 16,639 agricultural establishments. The Embrapa panel presents this information on the municipal cartographic base of 2022.

For the Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, the resumption of the waterway must also consider the needs of small producers. "We want to expand transport options so that inland production reaches more markets at a lower cost. With the resumption of the São Francisco Waterway, we need to create conditions for family farmers to also use this infrastructure and expand their income opportunities," he stated.

Among the five municipalities, Petrolina (PE) concentrates the largest number of family establishments: 4,509, corresponding to 64.25% of the local total. In Juazeiro (BA), there are 4,402 (60.40%). Considering all agricultural establishments, permanent crops represent 45.85% of Petrolina's units and 36.92% of Juazeiro's.

Ibotirama (BA) shows the highest participation of family farming in this segment, with 1,185 establishments (78.84%). Livestock and the raising of other animals predominate in the municipal agricultural activity, followed by temporary crops.

In Sobradinho (BA), 351 establishments are family-owned (62.57% of the municipal total). In Pirapora (MG), there are 181 (67.29%).

The proposal combines infrastructure and training to expand small producers' access to waterway transport. Small public ports are planned along the river, creating embarkation and disembarkation points for local production.

The National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation, Otto Burlier, highlighted the necessary conditions to enable this access. "Small producers' access to the waterway depends on embarkation points and preparation to use river transport. Therefore, the project foresees small public ports and community training, considering the characteristics of local production and the necessary conditions to transport each type of cargo," he concluded.

Through the HN-500 program, training for communities and small producers is also planned for activities of receiving and outflowing agricultural production by river. The objective is to prepare the local population for work and commercialization opportunities related to the resumption of navigation.

The project under study covers 1,371 kilometers of the São Francisco River, between Pirapora (MG) and the hub formed by Juazeiro (BA) and Petrolina (PE), and includes the Sobradinho Lock. The proposal seeks to reduce transport costs and expand options for regional production outflow.

According to Codeba, the main cargoes identified in the studies are gypsum for agricultural and civil construction use, cottonseed, soybeans, and corn. The company also points to potential for transporting animal feed, biofuels, and sugar, destined for the domestic market.

For irrigated fruit farming, the prospect is for future service. According to the company, the transport of this production will depend on the construction of specific vessels with technology appropriate to the type of cargo.

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