Scientists from a leading Brazilian university will provide their expertise to FAO for its agricultural development programmes in Latin America and African countries under an agreement signed here today.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by FAO Assistant Director-General of the Technical Cooperation Department, Mr J.M. Sumpsi, and Professor Luiz Cláudio Costa, Rector of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), one of Brazil's leading academic institutions specialized in food and agriculture. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf attended the ceremony.
Under the agreement the University will make its scientists available as experts in FAO technical cooperation programmes and projects, particularly those focusing on sustainable intensification of agriculture production and food security.
It will also facilitate access by students from developing countries supported by FAO to the capacity-building and human resources development programmes of UFV.
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Diouf welcomed the initiative and spoke of the major contribution of UFV to the development of Brazil's agricultural sector and the importance of South-South Cooperation.
Recalling that the scientific community has a central role to play in reducing food insecurity, he praised President Lula da Silva for his support to agricultural research and education in Brazil and for his continued commitment to the eradication of hunger worldwide.
Costa thanked Diouf and FAO for the opportunity to further involve UFV in FAO's activities and expressed the academic community's appreciation of the priority that President Lula is giving to education and scientific research.
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