Key facts
- BRICS agriculture ministers are meeting in Indore, India, under India's presidency.
- The two-day meeting focuses on food security and the welfare of smallholder farmers.
- Discussions aim to increase the participation of women and youth in the agricultural sector.
- The meeting seeks to strengthen agricultural cooperation among BRICS member nations.
- An 'Indore Declaration' is expected to be adopted at the conclusion of the meeting.
BRICS agriculture ministers commenced a two-day meeting in Indore, India, on Friday, with food security and the welfare of smallholder farmers at the forefront of discussions. India, holding the presidency, is chairing the event which also aims to enhance the participation of women and youth in the agricultural sector.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the dialogue themed 'Smallholder Farmers, Women and Youth: Securing the Future of Food'. Officials stated the meeting is focused on strengthening agricultural cooperation among BRICS member nations and addressing shared challenges in the farm sector.
Chouhan highlighted the significant contribution of women in agriculture and the importance of engaging young people through new technologies and innovations to boost food production and global food security. He emphasized that small farmers, who constitute 86% of India's farming population and about 70% across BRICS countries with less than two hectares of land, would be central to the deliberations.
Prior to the ministerial meeting, a three-day session of the BRICS Agriculture Working Group concluded. The five-day deliberations are anticipated to culminate in the adoption of the 'Indore Declaration' on Saturday.