# Law No. 3471 of November 28, 1958

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649347](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649347)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3471-of-november-28-1958

## Summary
Law No. 3471 of November 28, 1958, is a Brazilian statute enacted to establish emergency credit for farmers and breeders in drought-affected regions (the "Polygon of Droughts"). Promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek, it aimed to mitigate the economic impacts of droughts in Brazil’s semi-arid zones by providing financial support for agricultural activities. This law represents a targeted legislative response to regional environmental challenges.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** November 28, 1958.
- **Country:** Brazil.
- **Official Title:** "Lei nº 3471, de 28 de novembro de 1958" (Law No. 3471 of November 28, 1958).
- **Promulgation:** Approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek on November 28, 1958.
- **Primary Purpose:** Instituted emergency credit for farmers and breeders in drought-prone areas.
- **Legal Citation:** "Lei nº 3471/1958".
- **Publication Date:** November 28, 1958.
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then Brazil’s capital).
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil, specifically targeting the semi-arid "Polygon of Droughts" region.
- **Language:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Digital Access:** Available at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3471.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3471.htm).
- **Focus Area:** Part of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What was the main objective of Law No. 3471 of 1958?**  
This law established emergency credit lines for farmers and breeders in Brazil’s drought-affected regions, aiming to provide financial relief and support agricultural continuity during environmental crises.

**Who approved Law No. 3471?**  
The law was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek, who served as Brazil’s head of state from 1956 to 1961.

**Where does this law apply?**  
It applies specifically to the "Polygon of Droughts" (Polígono das Secas), a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil historically affected by recurrent droughts.

**Is the full text of the law publicly available?**  
Yes, the law is accessible via the official Brazilian government portal at [https://www.planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br).

**Why was this law historically significant?**  
It marked an early legislative effort to address systemic environmental challenges in Brazil’s northeast, reflecting broader mid-20th-century policies aimed at regional development and drought mitigation.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3471 of 1958 is significant as an early example of targeted Brazilian legislation addressing regional environmental and economic disparities. By creating emergency credit mechanisms for farmers in drought-prone areas, it sought to stabilize agricultural production and livelihoods in one of Brazil’s most vulnerable regions. This law underscores the historical interplay between environmental challenges and governmental intervention in Brazil, particularly during the Kubitschek administration’s focus on national development. It also highlights the recurring need for drought mitigation strategies in Brazilian policymaking, influencing later agricultural and regional development initiatives.

## Notable For
- **First Emergency Credit Legislation:** One of Brazil’s earliest laws specifically targeting drought relief through financial instruments.
- **Regional Focus:** Directly addressed the semi-arid "Polygon of Droughts" in northeastern Brazil, a region of historical economic and environmental vulnerability.
- **Kubitschek-Era Policy:** Part of President Juscelino Kubitschek’s broader agenda to modernize and integrate Brazil’s regions during the 1950s.
- **Agricultural Support:** Demonstrated legislative efforts to protect small-scale farmers and breeders, critical to Brazil’s rural economy.

## Body

### History and Background
Law No. 3471 was enacted in 1958 under President Juscelino Kubitschek, a period marked by ambitious national development projects, including the construction of Brasília. The law responded to recurring droughts in Brazil’s northeastern semi-arid region, known as the "Polygon of Droughts," which caused significant agricultural disruption and migration. By establishing emergency credit, the legislation aimed to provide immediate financial relief to affected farmers and breeders, ensuring continuity of agricultural activities during crises.

### Legal Provisions
The law’s primary provision was the creation of a credit system for emergency loans, specifically designed for farmers and livestock breeders in drought-declared areas. Key details included:
- **Beneficiaries:** Small-scale agricultural producers and breeders in designated drought zones.
- **Purpose:** To mitigate production losses and support recovery efforts during drought events.
- **Implementation:** Administered through governmental or financial institutions, with terms tailored to the urgency of drought conditions.

### Jurisdiction and Application
The law applied exclusively to the "Polygon of Droughts," a federally designated region encompassing parts of northeastern Brazil. This geographic focus reflected the area’s historical vulnerability to prolonged droughts, which had severe socioeconomic impacts. By targeting this region, the law sought to address systemic inequalities and promote regional stability through financial intervention.

### Historical Context
Enacted during Kubitschek’s presidency (1956–1961), Law No. 3471 aligned with his government’s emphasis on national integration and infrastructure development. The legislation complemented broader initiatives like the "March to the West" (Marcha para Oeste), which aimed to expand agricultural frontiers and reduce regional disparities. It also reflected the era’s optimism in state-driven solutions to socioeconomic challenges, characteristic of mid-20th-century Brazilian governance.

### Legacy and Impact
While the law provided short-term relief, its long-term impact was limited by the recurring nature of droughts and the need for more comprehensive agricultural policies. However, it set a precedent for future legislation addressing environmental challenges in Brazil, such as later programs under the Ministry of Agrarian Development. The law remains a reference point for discussions on drought mitigation and rural credit systems in Brazilian legal history.

### Related Entities
- **Brazil:** The law is a product of Brazil’s legislative system, reflecting the country’s historical efforts to address regional disparities.
- **Juscelino Kubitschek:** The president who promulgated the law, linking it to his broader developmental agenda.
- **Statutory Law:** As a statute, it exemplifies the formal written documents that constitute statutory law in Brazil, as defined in the provided source material.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-11-28;3471)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3471&ano=1958&data=28/11/1958&ato=a22k3aE90dRRVTd52)
3. LexML Brasil