Brazil and the United Kingdom will support projects aimed at climate-smart agriculture and food security, under the umbrella of the Millennium Development Goals. A letter of intent for this purpose was signed yesterday in Brasilia by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Mendes Ribeiro Filho, and the UK Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell. The document provides for incentives for activities such as the exchange of technical information and the exchange of researchers, as well as international cooperation projects between the countries. The signing of the letter of intent is a continuation of the agreement signed by Brazil and the United Kingdom in June.

The official agenda of the senior British official in Brasilia also included a meeting with the Minister of Social Development and Hunger Combat, Tereza Campello. Strengthening and enhancing the partnership between Brazil and the United Kingdom in joint actions in the social area for African countries was the main theme of the discussion. Initiatives taken within the ‘Brazil Without Misery’ program, such as support for family farmers and the construction of water tanks, were identified as candidates for application in African countries.

“It is the decision of President Rousseff that Brazil shall be open to offering international cooperation, while respecting the particularities of each country, without presenting a ready solution and also being willing to learn”, said Minister Tereza Campello. For the British Secretary, the success of Brazilian policies to combat hunger and better distribute income increase Brazil’s standing on the international stage. “Brazil has had recognized success with programs such as Bolsa Familia – “Family Aid”, the protection of forests and in combating hunger, and for this reason we have an interest in disseminating these best practices together”, said Mitchell.

There are already concrete results from the joint action of the two countries in efforts to eradicate poverty in Africa. In Kenya, the partnership between Brazil and the United Kingdom is responsible for the implementation of a Single Registry for Social Programs based on the existing Brazil model. Through this, it is possible to understand the socio-economic reality of vulnerable families, to identify potential beneficiaries for social programs, and to support the planning and implementation of government policies. Another example occurred in 2008 in Ghana, where the two countries assisted in the creation of an income transfer program similar to “Bolsa Familia”.