Marcela Rebelo
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - 2005 was "very positive" as far as activities to combat poverty are concerned, in the judgment of the minister of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, Patrus Ananias. "Basically, we fulfilled all our goals and made sure that nearly 100% of our US$ 7.305 billion (R$ 17.1 billion) budget was executed," he said, yesterday (29), in an interview with the Agência Brasil.

The minister also commented that next year's planned budget of more than US$ 8.971 billion (R$ 21 billion) represents triple what was budgeted for the social area in 2002.

Ananias indicated the Family Grant program as one of the ministry's standout performers in 2005. "Through the Family Grant, we are caring for and promoting 8.7 million poor families in Brazil, and this means approximately 40 million people. It is a family benefit that helps ensure the right to food," he affirmed.

The minister also referred to the National Program to Strengthen Family Farming (PRONAF), which operates in the generation of income and employment in rural areas. "The coming agricultural year will have resources amounting to US$ 3.85 billion (R$ 9 billion) for small Brazilian farmers," he said. He commented that the ministry is also consolidating a network to facilitate access to an adequate diet through community kitchens, food banks, and community restaurants.

Ananias affirmed that, in 2006, the ministry intends to promote the integration of programs. "We shall consolidate our programs and integrate them more and more," he concluded.

Translation: David Silberstein