BRICS Indore Declaration adopted keeping ‘farmer at centre’: Agri Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Chouhan emphasised that the document is not merely a paper of agreement but a symbol of the collective will, shared responsibility and commitment of BRICS countries to build a more secure, prosperous and sustainable future through agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the BRICS Agriculture Ministers and officials-level meeting in Indore. (Source: PIB)

Four priorities

The declaration has been adopted amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and focusses on four main priorities: Farmers, food security, climate and technology.

Chouhan said that the entire process involved deep discussions on

1. Food security and nutritious diets for the world and BRICS countries
2. Promotion of agricultural trade and cooperation among BRICS nations
3. Regenerative farming and climate-resilient sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change challenges, and
4. Strengthening innovation, technology and partnerships in food systems and the agriculture sector.

Institutional initiatives

Separately, four institutional initiatives have also been proposed. It includes:

• Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture

Eestablishing a BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture will birth a platform for joint research, experience sharing and capacity building on natural, organic and regenerative agricultural practices, through which member countries will learn from each other’s best practices and promote climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, Chouhan said.

• BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture

The second major initiative is the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, which will give new direction to cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, geospatial technology, digital public infrastructure and data-based agricultural solutions.

• Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems

The third announcement is related to the setting up of the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems, which will protect farmers’ seed rights, the diversity of indigenous seeds and traditional knowledge. Chouhan said that in countries like India, farming has been practised for hundreds and thousands of years and many traditional seeds, which are symbols of our biodiversity and cultural heritage, are today facing an existential crisis. New varieties and hybrid seeds are necessary, but along with them, the conservation of indigenous seeds is equally essential.

• BRICS AgriN – Agro Input, Genetic Resources and Information Network

The fourth initiative is the BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network). This will strengthen cooperation among member countries in areas of agricultural inputs, seeds and genetic resources. Chouhan said this network will promote information exchange, capacity building, technical cooperation and partnerships so that information about best varieties, genetic resources and inputs available in different countries can be shared and practical solutions can be developed. This will create better access for farmers across member countries.