Women generate R$15.7 billion of credit in agribusiness with support from Sicredi | secredi

This progress reflects a new outlook on management in this field, characterized by sustainability, efficiency and attention to legacy. “Credit is a big driver for the development of businesses and companies, and therefore communities. We believe that providing this easy access to women reinforces our commitment,” says Central Sicredi Brasil Central Development Director, Chris Paiva.

These figures come to life in stories like that of Sonia Paula García Sedano Petrikovsky, from Mato Grosso. As a member of Sicredi, she uses associations and insurance as an essential part of estate financial planning. “When I need to change a machine, buy a bigger planter, or a more powerful harvester, I start preparing, saving money to bid and think,” she says. “For me, this is what a consortium is about: planning and future achievements.”

For the producer, farm business insurance is synonymous with peace of mind. “I’ve been through many unexpected situations over the years, but one of them sticks out in my mind. We had recently started working on growing soybeans. My farm was beautiful. But when it was time to harvest, there were no beans. At the same time, I activated the insurance. In the end, everything went well. I received the number of bags stipulated in the contract, because my area did not produce what it should have. If I had not had the insurance, I would have ended up in debt. “Debt,” Sonia recalls.

Strengthening the female presence in this sector has a multiplier effect. According to Chris, when a woman leads the company, the risks are lower, as she has a different and expanded vision. He adds: “She does not just look at the financial aspect, but rather looks at the property as a whole. Default rates are lower, as are the levels of delinquency. Women are more interested in maintaining the family business, as they realize that it is much more than work, it is the source of livelihood and the future of the home.”

Women-owned businesses

In recent years, Sicredi has expanded its operations with the women’s agricultural sector, with steady growth in credit, investments and the provision of personal financial solutions. According to the Foundation, in the 2024/2025 season, the cooperative served more than 31,000 rural producers, which is about a thousand more than the previous season. The balance of the agricultural credit portfolio allocated to this audience increased from R$13.6 billion in 2024 to R$15.7 billion in 2025, an increase of 15.1%. Of the total launches of rural finance, 14.6% of resources, equivalent to R$9 billion, were transferred to women, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous season.

Progress is also reflected in the financial behavior of women entrepreneurs. In September 2025, Sicredi registered nearly 130,000 female investors in this sector, representing 23% of the total number of members investing. The balance of investments they made amounted to R$9.7 billion, a growth of 19.7% compared to the previous year. Investments are mainly concentrated in term deposits (R $ 4.9 billion), LCA (R $ 2.6 billion) and savings (R $ 1.5 billion).

Chris Paiva points out that “decentralization and regional relations strengthen regional economies and create a cycle of shared prosperity.” According to her, the proximity to members allows the cooperative to understand their needs and offer logical solutions to each reality. “This is what distinguishes the cooperative from a traditional bank,” he says. According to the executive, Sicredi is strengthening its desire to continue supporting the producers who drive the industry, through credit, investment, training and trust. Because, as Chris sums up: “When women thrive in agriculture, the entire community reaps the rewards.”

The Rural Producer Eddy Tarravel from Evenhima (MS) trail shows how women’s participation in agribusiness has transformed and expanded businesses in the sector. She has worked on the cattle farm for more than two decades and is now a management consultant at Sicredi Centro-Sul MS/Bahia, and has built a career characterized by leadership, innovation and commitment to rural development.

Her story with Secredi began in 2017, the year she was re-elected president of the Rural Federation of Evenhima and Novo Horizonte do Sul. During that same period, she became a member of the Cooperative Financial Corporation. The rapprochement was intensified by the establishment of a research unit to expand agriculture in the region, which included a strategic partnership with Secredi. The following year, Eddy joined Famasul’s Líder MS programme, where he developed an ambitious project: creating an educational center within the Federation’s Exhibition Park focusing on technical training for agribusiness. To make this initiative viable, it sought several partnerships, including again with Secredi.

Two years later, her work caught national attention: her name appeared on Forbes magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Women in Agribusiness. In the same year, she took over the position of core coordinator of Sicredi Centro-Sul MS/BA. In September 2022, she was elected as Management Consultant, a position she will hold until 2026.