Indore declaration: BRICS nations chart strategy for farmer-centric growth

Indore, June 13 (IANS) Collective commitment to food security, climate resilience, sustainable farming and farmer empowerment at a time of global uncertainties, the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ meeting concluded here on Saturday with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Indore Declaration’.

The deliberations revolved around four key priorities: ensuring food and nutritional security; promoting agricultural trade and cooperation; advancing regenerative, climate‑resilient and sustainable practices; and strengthening innovation, technology and partnerships.

Hosted by India under its BRICS Presidency, the two‑day ministerial meeting — preceded by senior officials’ deliberations — brought together nearly 100 delegates, including around 60 from BRICS member and partner countries.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the outcome as a “strong message of hope, trust and collective responsibility”.

Addressing the media alongside Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, he pointed out that BRICS nations represent nearly half the world’s population, 42 per cent of global agricultural land and 42 per cent of foodgrain production — making their unified voice a powerful force on the international stage.

A dedicated session focused on the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers — often called family farmers — including access to inputs, credit, remunerative prices and markets.

At the core of the Indore Declaration is a strong emphasis on farmers. Four major new initiatives were announced to translate commitments into action:

a) BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro‑Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture — This platform will facilitate joint research, knowledge sharing and capacity building in natural, organic and regenerative farming. India’s Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, will serve as the country’s nodal centre, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of natural and organic farming.

b) BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture — Coordinated by IIT Delhi, it will harness AI, geospatial technologies and digital public infrastructure to deliver data‑driven solutions directly to farmers.

c) Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems — This forum aims to protect farmers’ rights over seeds, conserve indigenous varieties and preserve traditional knowledge, crucial for biodiversity and climate adaptation.

d) BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) — It will promote sharing of superior varieties, genetic resources and best practices across member countries.

Also, the existing BRICS Agricultural Research Platform will be strengthened into a “Knowledge‑to‑Action Hub” to ensure innovations move swiftly from labs to farmers’ fields.

Discussions also covered pressing issues such as climate change, potential El Niño impacts, carbon credits, food loss and rising fertiliser prices. Chouhan reaffirmed India’s commitment to providing subsidised fertilisers to farmers and promoting balanced use alongside natural farming.

Emphasis was placed on greater participation of youth and women in agriculture, alongside support for agri‑startups and mechanisation through custom hiring centres.

The declaration reaffirms support for a fair multilateral trading system and explores ideas like a BRICS grain exchange. Bilateral meetings during the event focused on reducing trade barriers and enhancing technology exchange.

Union Minister Chouhan also highlighted India’s impressive agricultural achievements, stating that the sector has grown at an average annual rate of 4.5 per cent over the last decade. Total foodgrain production has reached 376 million tonnes, with wheat production touching nearly 118 million tonnes. Horticultural production has crossed 378 million tonnes, while fish production has risen to over 19 million tonnes.

He emphasised that India runs the world’s largest food security programme, crediting these successes to the hard work of farmers and the government’s farmer‑friendly policies.

As India showcases its leadership in agriculture, the “Indore Declaration” positions BRICS as a leading group for sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems. Implementation of these initiatives is expected to deliver tangible benefits to millions of farmers and strengthen global food security in the years ahead.

–IANS

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