SYLLABUS

GS-2: Regional Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

GS-3: Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security; Conservation. 

Context: The BRICS Indore Declaration was adopted at the 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. 

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• The Declaration was adopted against the backdrop of growing concerns relating to Food insecurity, Climate change, Supply-chain disruptions, and Geopolitical uncertainties affecting global agricultural systems.

• The Declaration is built around four key priorities:

• Farmers – improving farmers’ livelihoods, welfare, and access to innovation. 
• Food Security – strengthening resilient and sustainable food systems. 
• Climate – promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. 
• Technology – leveraging digital technologies and innovation for agricultural transformation.

• The Declaration seeks to strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries in addressing food and nutrition security challenges, climate change, technological transformation, and sustainable agricultural development.

Key Highlights of the Declaration

• The Declaration supported continued discussions on establishing a BRICS Grain Exchange to improve market transparency, trade cooperation, and food-security coordination among member countries. 

• It emphasised climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture, including cooperation on resource-efficient farming practices, adaptation strategies, and resilient food systems. 

• It recognised the growing importance of digital technologies, innovation, and research collaboration in transforming agriculture and improving farmer welfare. 

• It reaffirmed commitment to strengthening agricultural value chains, agri-food systems, food security, nutrition security, and South-South cooperation among BRICS countries. 

Four New Institutional Initiatives

To operationalise the Declaration's priorities, BRICS countries agreed to advance four key institutional initiatives: 

1. Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture

• To promote sustainable, climate-resilient, and environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

• To facilitate research, capacity building, and exchange of best practices on agro-ecology and regenerative agriculture among BRICS countries.

2. BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture

• To facilitate cooperation in digital agriculture, precision farming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data-driven agricultural solutions. 

• To promote the exchange of technological innovations, digital tools, and best practices for enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency. 

3. BRICS AgriN – Agro Input, Genetic Resources and Information Network

• To strengthen collaborative agricultural research, innovation, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer. 

• India will coordinate the network, facilitating greater cooperation among research institutions across BRICS countries. 

4. Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems

• To promote dialogue on farmers’ seed rights, seed sovereignty, and conservation of agricultural biodiversity. 

• India will play a leading role in advancing discussions and cooperation under this initiative.

About the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting

• The BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting is a sectoral cooperation mechanism that brings together member countries to discuss issues relating to: 

• Agriculture, 
• Food security, 
• Rural development, 
• Agricultural trade, 
• Research and innovation. 

• It serves as a platform for promoting South-South cooperation, sharing best practices, and coordinating efforts to address common agricultural challenges among BRICS countries.