Key facts
- BRICS Agriculture Ministers unanimously adopted the 'Indore Declaration' in Indore, India.
- The declaration focuses on food security, farmer welfare, climate-resilient agriculture, agricultural trade, and digital agriculture.
- Four new initiatives were launched: a Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology, a Network on Digital Agriculture, a Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems, and BRICS AgriN.
- India's Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated the declaration is a symbol of collective will and shared responsibility.
- The BRICS Agricultural Research Platform will be enhanced into a 'Knowledge-to-Action Hub'.
India hosted and concluded the BRICS Agriculture Ministers' meeting in Indore, resulting in the unanimous adoption of the 'Indore Declaration'. The declaration outlines key decisions aimed at enhancing global agricultural cooperation, focusing on food security, farmer welfare, climate-resilient agriculture, agricultural trade, and digital agriculture.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that the meeting sent a strong message of hope and collective responsibility amidst global crises. Approximately 100 delegates, including around 60 foreign representatives, participated, underscoring the significance BRICS nations place on agricultural issues. BRICS countries collectively represent nearly half of the world's population, hold a substantial portion of global agricultural land, and contribute significantly to global foodgrain production.
Discussions centered on four main priorities: ensuring food and nutritional security, promoting agricultural trade and cooperation, adopting climate-resilient farming practices, and strengthening innovation and technology in food systems. A specific session was dedicated to addressing the challenges of small and marginal farmers, including access to inputs, credit, and markets.
The 'Indore Declaration' places farmers at its core and reaffirms the commitment to advancing food security, nutrition, livelihoods, agricultural trade, innovation, investment, and sustainable development. Member countries agreed to work collaboratively to implement the declaration's initiatives.
Four new institutional initiatives were announced: the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture, the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, the Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems, and BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network). The Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research will serve as India's Centre of Excellence for the agro-ecology network, while IIT Delhi will coordinate the digital agriculture network.
Furthermore, the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform is set to be strengthened into a robust 'Knowledge-to-Action Hub' to ensure research innovations reach farmers effectively. BRICS nations also reaffirmed their commitment to a fair multilateral trading system, with discussions on a BRICS Grain Exchange gaining momentum. Bilateral meetings focused on trade facilitation, reducing barriers, and promoting technology exchange. The importance of promoting regenerative and climate-resilient agricultural practices was highlighted, with discussions also touching upon the potential impact of El Nino on agriculture.