The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has placed agriculture, food security and climate-resilient farming high on the agenda, with four major initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation among member countries.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration highlights the need to improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, food security and nutrition while addressing challenges such as volatile food prices, supply disruptions, fertilizer shortages and climate-related risks. Among the key initiatives are BRICS AGRIN, the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems, a network of Centres of Excellence for Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, and the BRICS Network for Digital Agriculture.
BRICS countries have a significant role in global food production and agricultural economies. The New Delhi Declaration emphasizes stronger cooperation to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability and contribute to global food security and nutrition.
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The declaration also recognizes challenges facing agriculture, including fluctuations in food prices, disruptions in supply chains and shortages of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. It calls for greater cooperation on drought-resilient and climate-adaptive seed systems, the availability of agricultural inputs and more resilient supply chains for farm products.
One of the key initiatives is BRICS AGRIN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources, and Information Network). The proposed network is designed as a collaborative, non-binding and farmer-centric platform to encourage the exchange of agricultural inputs, genetic resources, information and best practices among BRICS members. By bringing together knowledge and experiences from different countries, the initiative could help strengthen cooperation on common agricultural challenges and facilitate the sharing of useful agricultural practices.
The declaration also welcomes the establishment of the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems. The forum is intended to provide a platform for discussing common challenges related to seed systems, encouraging effective policy approaches and supporting the documentation and exchange of traditional knowledge related to agriculture and seeds. Stronger cooperation in seed systems, local knowledge and genetic resources could contribute to preserving agricultural diversity while supporting efforts towards climate resilience.
BRICS countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation towards a network of Centres of Excellence for Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture for Climate Resilience and Productivity. The initiative focuses on agricultural approaches that can improve climate adaptation, promote more efficient use of resources and support sustainable farm productivity. This cooperation assumes greater importance as farmers in several regions face challenges from drought, irregular rainfall, changing temperatures and increasing pressure on land and water resources. The proposed centres could provide a platform for sharing knowledge, technologies and experiences related to more sustainable and climate-adaptive farming systems.
Another important initiative is the BRICS Network for Digital Agriculture, which also covers areas such as agro forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. Digital technologies, data and modern tools can support better farm-level decision-making, resource management and production systems. Greater cooperation among BRICS countries could create opportunities to exchange digital agriculture solutions, technologies and practical experiences.
For farmers, such developments could eventually support wider access to technology-driven agricultural services, although the actual benefits will depend on how these initiatives are implemented at the practical level.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture Gets Greater Focus:
Climate change has emerged as an important part of the agriculture and food-security agenda under the New Delhi Declaration. The declaration emphasizes strengthening drought-resilient and climate-adaptive seed systems and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This is particularly relevant as unpredictable weather can affect crop production, water availability and farming costs. Greater cooperation on climate-resilient crop varieties and resource-efficient farming practices could therefore become an important component of future agricultural strategies.
BRICS Reaffirms Focus on Agricultural Trade at WTO:
The declaration also reiterates the BRICS countries' commitment to advancing agricultural negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It supports progress on long-standing issues under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and calls for a fair, balanced and development-oriented agricultural trading system. The declaration also recognizes that changing policies and regulatory developments can have implications for agricultural production, trade, food security and the livelihoods of small and family farmers.
BRICS Grain Exchange Also on the Agenda:
The New Delhi Declaration also refers to further discussions on establishing a BRICS Grain Exchange, a proposed platform for cooperation in grain and agricultural trade. The initiative could provide a framework for greater cooperation related to agricultural and food products and relevant inputs. The declaration also stresses the importance of resilient and non-discriminatory supply chains, stronger value chains and sustainable agricultural practices.
What Do These BRICS Initiatives Mean for Farmers?
The initiatives announced under the BRICS New Delhi Declaration are not direct cash-benefit schemes, subsidies or new government welfare programmes for farmers. Their primary purpose is to strengthen agricultural cooperation among BRICS member countries. If these initiatives are translated into practical programmes and partnerships, they could create greater opportunities for cooperation in areas such as agricultural inputs, genetic resources, seed systems, climate-resilient farming, regenerative agriculture and digital technologies.
FAQs:
1. What are the four major agriculture initiatives under BRICS?
The four major initiatives are BRICS AGRIN, the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems, Centres of Excellence for Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, and the BRICS Network for Digital Agriculture.
2. What is BRICS AGRIN?
BRICS AGRIN is a proposed network for cooperation and information sharing related to agricultural inputs, genetic resources, information and best agricultural practices.
3. Will these BRICS initiatives provide direct financial benefits to farmers?
No. These initiatives are not direct cash-benefit or subsidy schemes. Their focus is on strengthening agricultural cooperation among BRICS member countries.
4. How can Digital Agriculture help farmers?
Digital Agriculture can support better farm-level decision-making, resource management and access to technology-based agricultural services.
5. Why is climate-resilient agriculture important for BRICS countries?
Drought, irregular rainfall, changing temperatures and other climate-related risks can affect agricultural production. Climate-resilient seeds and sustainable farming practices can help address these challenges.
