1. Overview
José Graziano da Silva is a Brazilian American agronomist and writer, widely recognized for his profound commitment to combating global hunger and poverty. His career, spanning academia, national government, and international organizations, has consistently focused on advancing social equity and human rights through food security and rural development initiatives. Notably, he served as Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Food Security, where he oversaw the implementation of the groundbreaking Fome Zero (Zero Hunger) program, a cornerstone of the Lula Administration's efforts to lift millions out of poverty. He later became the first Latin American to lead the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as its Director-General, championing sustainable agricultural practices and advocating for vulnerable populations worldwide.
2. Early life and education
2.1. Birth and background
José Graziano da Silva was born in Urbana, Illinois, on November 17, 1949. His parents were Brazilians of Italian descent, specifically from the Calabria region. This heritage made da Silva eligible for three citizenships: American, obtained by jus soli (right of soil) due to his birth in the United States, and Brazilian and Italian, obtained by jus sanguinis (right of blood) through his parents' ancestry.
2.2. Education
Graziano da Silva's academic journey began in Brazil, where he pursued studies in agronomy and economics, followed by post-doctoral work at international institutions. He graduated as an agronomist in 1972, having attended the University of São Paulo's Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz. In 1974, he earned an MBA from the same institution, after presenting a dissertation that focused on the distribution of wealth in Brazil. He furthered his academic pursuits by receiving his doctorate from the Campinas State University (UNICAMP) in 1980. Following his doctoral studies, he went on to become a professor of Agricultural Economics at UNICAMP. His academic development continued with post-doctorate degrees obtained from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States and the University of London's Institute of Latin American Studies in the United Kingdom.
3. Academic career
José Graziano da Silva has had a long and distinguished academic career, dedicating his efforts to rural development and fighting hunger since 1977. From 1978, he served as a full professor at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), where he also held the position of Chair of the Master's and Doctoral Program in Economic Development, Space, and Environment at UNICAMP's Institute for Economics. During his tenure as a professor, he was widely recognized for his valuable contributions to the training and preparation of a new generation of young Latin American professionals dedicated to the fields of rural development and food security.
4. Political career in Brazil
Graziano da Silva's political career in Brazil was marked by his significant contributions to national food security and poverty reduction, particularly through his involvement with the Fome Zero initiative.
4.1. Minister for Food Security
In 2001, Graziano da Silva played a leading role in coordinating the formulation of the Fome Zero program, which became a central plank of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's presidential campaign. Following Lula da Silva's election, Graziano was appointed Extraordinary Minister for Food Security in late 2002. He served in this role from January 1, 2003, to January 23, 2004, overseeing the implementation of the Fome Zero program. This initiative was instrumental in lifting 28 million people above the national poverty line during the eight years of the Lula administration. In January 2004, the functions of the Extraordinary Ministry were absorbed into the newly created Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger, after which Graziano became a special advisor to the Presidency of the Republic.
4.2. Zero Hunger program
The Fome Zero program, while not devised by Graziano da Silva, was a focal point of the Lula Administration's social policies and represented a significant innovation in public policy aimed at combating extreme poverty. Its notable aspects included a holistic approach to food security, an openness to civil society participation in policy planning, resource allocation, and monitoring. The program also emphasized gender equality, notably through cash transfers directly to women in households, which served as a means of empowerment and ensured more effective utilization of resources for family well-being. The program was closely linked to the broader Bolsa Familia cash transfer program, further bolstering its impact on vulnerable populations and promoting social equity.
5. International career at FAO
José Graziano da Silva's international career at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) saw him rise from a regional representative to the head of the organization, where he championed global food security and sustainable development.
5.1. Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean
In March 2006, Graziano da Silva was appointed Assistant Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and served as the organization's regional representative for Latin America and the Caribbean until 2011. During this period, he secured a commitment from countries in the region to eradicate hunger by 2025, a pioneering initiative that positioned Latin America as the first region globally to set such an ambitious target. He actively promoted a program focused on rural issues, advocating for the strengthening of institutions and public policies aimed at achieving comprehensive and inclusive development in rural areas. His work also involved implementing internal reforms within the FAO, with a particular emphasis on decentralization and empowering national bodies, while recognizing the crucial role of governments in defining priorities. He fostered greater openness towards civil society by engaging a diverse range of political, social, professional, and labor entities in FAO activities. Furthermore, he actively engaged in promoting joint initiatives with other United Nations agencies, including ECLAC, the WFP, the UNDP, and the ILO, as well as international bodies such as IICA and OIE, in addition to supporting South-South cooperation initiatives.
5.2. Director-General of the FAO
In 2011, Graziano da Silva launched his candidacy for the post of Director-General of the FAO. He was elected on June 26, 2011, at the agency's 37th conference held in Rome, becoming the first Latin American to hold this prestigious position. He succeeded Jacques Diouf, whose 18-year tenure had led to a change in the agency's rules to establish term limits. Graziano secured 92 out of 180 votes in the second ballot, defeating former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Ángel Moratinos. Other candidates in the first ballot included Franz Fischler (Austria), Indroyono Soesilo (Indonesia), Mohammad Saeid Noori Naeini (Iran), and Latif Rashid (Iraq). His initial term as Director-General began on January 1, 2012. Both Oxfam and the United States welcomed his election, emphasizing the need for continued reform within the FAO and a renewed push for sustainable agricultural development, improved access to nutritional crops, and expanded opportunities for women and small-scale farmers.
5.2.1. First term (2012-2015)
During his first term, which concluded in July 2015, Graziano da Silva focused on policy reforms and strengthening international cooperation. He continued to advocate for the "Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative," which aimed to make the region the first in the world to eradicate hunger by 2025. His tenure emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the empowerment of small-scale farmers as key strategies for achieving global food security.
5.2.2. Second term (2015-2019)
Graziano da Silva was the sole candidate in the elections for FAO's top leadership post in 2015, reflecting broad support for his leadership. He was re-elected for a second term, serving from August 1, 2015, to July 31, 2019, securing 177 votes out of 182 total ballots cast. His second term continued to prioritize the strengthening of family farming and inclusive rural development policies as essential pathways to enhanced food security. He promoted a substantive agenda connected to rural issues, advocating for robust institutions and public policies to ensure full and inclusive development in the countryside, with particular emphasis on addressing the problem of rural employment. In this regard, three significant studies prepared by FAO's Regional Office were highlighted: Boom Agrícola y Persistencia de la Pobreza Rural ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110705202027/http://www.rlc.fao.org/es/prioridades/desarrollo/boom/pdf/boomen.pdf Agricultural Boom and the Persistence of Rural Poverty]), La Institucionalidad Agropecuaria en América Latina, Estado Actual y Desafíos ([https://books.google.com/books?id=WYDEkbnOMlsC&dq=Agricultural+Institutional+Framework+in+Latin+America,+Current+Status+and+Challenges&pg=PA3 Agricultural Institutional Framework in Latin America, Current Status and Challenges]), and Políticas de Mercado de Trabajo y Pobreza Rural en América Latina (Employment Market Policies and Rural Poverty in Latin America).
6. Ideology and approach
José Graziano da Silva's core philosophies are deeply rooted in the principles of food security, rural development, social equity, and human rights. His career consistently demonstrated a commitment to democratic governance and inclusive growth, particularly for vulnerable populations. He advocated for a holistic approach to public policies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of food access, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. A key aspect of his approach was the promotion of civil society participation in policy planning, resource allocation, and monitoring, ensuring that programs were responsive to the needs of the people they served. He also placed a strong focus on gender equality, recognizing the empowering role of direct financial support to women in households for more effective resource utilization. His vision extended to strengthening rural institutions and implementing public policies that foster comprehensive and inclusive development in the countryside, with a particular emphasis on creating opportunities for rural employment and supporting family farming as a cornerstone of food security. His efforts aimed to eradicate hunger through sustainable and equitable means, reflecting a profound dedication to humanitarian ideals and social justice.
7. Works and publications
Graziano da Silva is a prolific author, having published 25 books on critical topics such as rural development, food security, and agrarian economics. His writings have significantly contributed to the academic and policy discourse in these fields. Among his notable works are De boias frias an empregados rurais (From Bóias Frias to Rural Workers), which examines the transition of rural laborers, and his seminal work, O que é a questão agrária? (O que é a questão agrária?What is the Agrarian Question?Portuguese), originally published by the Brasiliense publishing house in 1980. These publications reflect his deep expertise and long-standing engagement with issues concerning agricultural structures, land distribution, and the socio-economic conditions of rural populations.
8. Personal life
José Graziano da Silva is married to Paola Ligasacchi, a journalist and lawyer. Together, they have two children and five grandchildren.
9. Assessment and controversy
José Graziano da Silva's career has been marked by significant achievements in global food security and rural development, alongside certain criticisms and controversies.
9.1. Positive assessment
Graziano da Silva is widely recognized for his expertise and unwavering commitment to transforming the global food system and fostering a new agricultural future. His leadership at the FAO was lauded for its push towards sustainable agricultural development, improving access to nutritional crops, and expanding opportunities for women and small-scale farmers. A highlight of his tenure was his pivotal role in fostering the "Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative," which led the region to become the first in the world to commit to eradicating hunger by 2025. In his academic career, he made valuable contributions to training a new generation of Latin American professionals dedicated to rural development and food security. Domestically, the Fome Zero program, which he implemented as Minister for Food Security, was highly successful in lifting millions of Brazilians out of poverty, underscoring his impact on social justice and humanitarian efforts.
9.2. Criticism and controversy
Despite his achievements, Graziano da Silva faced criticism during his leadership at the FAO. A notable controversy arose from his decision to recognize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for "reducing hunger" in 2013 and 2015. This recognition sparked outrage, as Venezuela was simultaneously experiencing acute food shortages and a severe humanitarian crisis, leading to widespread public concern and accusations of political opportunism. Another controversy involved his attempt to hire Nadine Heredia Alarcón de Humala, the former First Lady of Peru, for a senior position at the FAO. This move drew strong criticism because Heredia was under national indictment in Peru on corruption charges at the time. Critics argued that such an appointment would have potentially conferred diplomatic immunity upon her, shielding her from the ongoing legal investigations in her home country and raising questions about the ethical standards of international organizations.
10. Awards and recognition
José Graziano da Silva has received numerous awards, honors, and titles from various national and international bodies in recognition of his extensive service and contributions. These include:
- The Order of Rio Branco, bestowed by the Brazilian president.
- The Paulista Medal for Scientific and Technological Merit, conferred by the São Paulo State government.
- The Brazilian Society of Rural Economics, Administration and Sociology Award (Prêmio SOBER).
- In April 2013, he was bestowed the title of a Samoan chief, Tagaloaletoaolemalaeoletoto (Tagaloa the warrior of the battleground of blood), during a regional FAO meeting for the South Pacific.
- On November 4, 2013, he was awarded the title 'Grand Officier de l'Ordre National du Benin' by the Grand Chancellor of the National Order of Benin, Ms. Koubourath Anjorin Osseni, acknowledging FAO's significant contribution to eliminating hunger and malnutrition in Benin.
- The Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (2019).
- The Medal Dr. Alvarado Barcellos Fagundes (2019).
- The Order of Merit in the Diplomatic and International Field from Slovenia (2019).
- The Ordre national du Lion Commandeur (2019).
- The First Class Medal of Merit Citizenship from Cape Verde (2018).
- The Order of the Two Niles from the Sudan Government (2018).
- Officier de l'Ordre National du Burkina Faso (2018).
- Commandeur de l'Ordre National de la Republique de Madagascar (2016).
- Cavaliere di Gran Croce della Repubblica Italiana (2015).
- Member of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa International Date Palm Award (2014).
11. Legacy
José Graziano da Silva's legacy is profoundly shaped by his enduring commitment to global food security, rural development, and social justice. His work has left a lasting impact on international agricultural policies and practices, particularly through his emphasis on a holistic, inclusive, and participatory approach to addressing hunger and poverty. He championed the empowerment of vulnerable populations, notably through the successful implementation of Brazil's Fome Zero, which demonstrated the transformative potential of targeted social welfare initiatives. At the FAO, his leadership fostered the groundbreaking "Hunger-Free Latin America and the Caribbean Initiative," setting an ambitious precedent for regional commitment to hunger eradication. He consistently advocated for strengthening family farming and rural institutions, recognizing them as fundamental pillars for sustainable development and food sovereignty. His contributions continue to influence global efforts to achieve zero hunger, promote equitable access to food, and ensure that agricultural policies serve the needs of all people, particularly those in rural areas.