19 September 2011
Brazil: Brazilian farmer SeuZé displays his mandala farming system in Santo Antônio de Cajazeira. A mandala is a sophisticated garden that allows farmers to produce a variety of products in a small space and helps communities ration water effectively. Picture: Luiz Claudio Mattos/CRSP
The Government of Brazil has been striving to address the problems of extreme poverty and hunger, especially among children. In addition to implementing long-term policies, it developed a massive programme that provides conditional cash grants to underprivileged families. From 2003-2008 the Bolsa Familia program has helped to lift 12.2 million people out of poverty, to contribute significantly to the overall decrease in inequality, and to reduce greatly levels of malnutrition throughout the country. This outcome is a direct result of sustained government policies that focus on equity and the needs of the poor. Addressing these social issues continues to be a priority for President Roussef’s administration. Civil society organisations that have strong links to legislature are also involved in these efforts.
The cash transfer programme empowers women in the 12 million households that are enrolled by delivering funds directly to mothers. The number of Brazilians with incomes below 475 reais (US$274) per month has fallen more than 3% each year since 2003. Between 1974 and 2009 among children aged 5 to 9 years old there was a steady decline in the national prevalence of stunting caused by malnutrition from 28% to 7% - with a drop of 48% to 10% among the poorest section of the population between 1989 and 2009. Furthermore, in the last 10 years, Brazil has cut the prevalence of underweight children in half. The country is on track to halve the rate of hunger before the 2015 deadline.
[This case study was written for the joint USAID/DFID MDG Countdown event to showcase successful development programmes.]
Key facts
- Government policies have led to sustained progress in the area of childhood malnutrition over 30 years.
- Progress intensified with the adoption of President Lula’s “Zero Hunger” initiative from 2003, which included conditional cash transfers through the Bolsa Familia scheme. This pays mothers a small sum so long as their children stay in school and receive
- President Dilma Roussef’s Brasil sem Miseria programme continues this work in her new administration.