A new program in Brazil uses biometric ID to secure land titles for small farmers, boosting legal protection and access to credit.
Photo source:
ebc
In 2024, Brazil’s Ministry of Agrarian Development launched a
national program aimed at solving one of the country’s long-standing
challenges: informal and insecure land ownership in rural areas. With millions
of smallholder farmers lacking formal documentation for the land they live and
work on, the government introduced a digital registration system backed by
biometric identification.
This initiative marks a significant shift in
how rural property rights are managed. Farmers are registered using fingerprint
scans and facial recognition, ensuring that each title is linked to a verified
individual. The goal is to reduce disputes, prevent fraudulent claims, and
guarantee ownership for families who have occupied and cultivated the land for
decades.
The new registration system combines biometric
technology with a centralized digital land database. Here’s how it works:
Over 100,000 land records have already
been created under this program. For many small-scale farmers, this is the
first time they have formal, legal proof of ownership something that opens new
doors for access to credit, agricultural subsidies, and long-term investment.
In rural areas where legal uncertainty often
leads to conflict or land grabs, this digital approach provides stronger
security, improves transparency, and builds trust between citizens and
government.
This isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about
reshaping the future for Brazil’s agricultural communities. With formal land
titles, smallholder farmers are now able to:
By reducing informal landholding and clarifying
ownership, the program also helps local authorities plan infrastructure,
improve taxation fairness, and design better rural services.
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