Résumé
This paper proposes to introduce some elements of a social and historic reading of Sustainable Development Program for Rural Areas-PRONAT, implemented by the Ministry of Agrarian DevelopmentMDA, born from the municipal infrastructure segment of the National Support Program for Family Agriculture -PRONAF. It takes part of an analysis of the institutionalization of family farming policies in Brazil. The first part of the paper presentes the theoretical framework of policy analysis particularly in terms of socio-historic approach of public action. The second part applies this framework to the case of PRONAT and deals with the origins and the latest trend of rural territorial development policy of the MDA. The third part is devoted to discussing and teaching. The conclusion presents some perspectives and work proposals for research.