<![CDATA[Food security for small-scale producers is intrinsically linked to the sustainability of family farming. In spite of its importance to Brazilian agribusiness, the sector of household agriculture remains vulnerable due to the lack of technical resources and infrastructure. This study evaluated the impact of the Village Program Brazil on crop productivity and blue water footprint among small-scale family farms in Barreiras and Balsas between 2019 and 2023. Using a longitudinal methodological framework, including initial farm assessments and selection of participants, support network establishment, risk-management data collection, and a decoupling analysis based on the Tapio and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) methods, the study monitored the implementation of 40 cisterns, 60 irrigation kits, and specialized training in pest and soil management. Results indicated that these interventions significantly enhanced food security in the studied areas: crop productivity in Barreiras rose from 745 to 9,181 kg/ha, while the blue water footprint dropped from 22.7 to 2.0 L/kg, being denoted strong decoupling of blue water footprint from crop production by the Tapio index, and linked to even contribution of program expansion and technological improvements over the program’s timespan by the LMDI index. Our findings further suggest that moving towards sustainable intensification of family farming is dependent on a "triad" of support: water distribution infrastructure, continuous technical guidance on management practices, and professional market integration. Taken together, the outcomes of Village Program Brazil provide a scalable model for public policies aimed at rural development.]]>
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