Brazil: Cláudio Castro makes R$ 2 million available to milk producers in Rio and raises the ceiling for low-interest loans

The article highlights the celebration of International Cheese Day and the economic benefits derived from the dairy industry in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The State Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Supply (Seappa) has been supporting dairy producers in the state through the Rio Leite Program, which has allocated around BRL 2 million to 84 projects since July 2020. This funding has been crucial for the structural development and product value addition of dairy companies, leading to job creation, increased sales, and economic stimulation. Notable examples include the Manoel Borges dairy, which has expanded its reach and employed more people, and Sítio Solidão, which participates in rural tourism by producing various cheeses and offering visits to see the milk processing and animal rearing processes. The article emphasizes the significant positive impact of the dairy sector on local economies, job markets, and tourism, with the support of Seappa playing a key role in these achievements.