15th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

• India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, equitable and sustainable agriculture at the 15th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers in Brasilia, Brazil.

Key Highlights

• BRICS Agriculture Ministers launched the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership to address land degradation, desertification, and the loss of soil fertility.
• In the Joint Declaration, BRICS nations collectively reiterated their resolve to make the global agri-food system fair, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.
• India’s Stand: Empowering the Backbone of Agriculture
  • India highlighted the need to socially, economically and politically empower small and marginal farmers, especially women, at the center of global agricultural strategies. 
  • The world’s 510 million smallholder farmers are the backbone of the global food system and are also the most vulnerable in the face of climate change, price volatility, and resource scarcity.

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

• Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet today’s food needs while preserving resources for future generations. 
• This means adopting methods that protect the environment, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and use water and land efficiently. 
• This approach is designed to maintain a balance between productivity, environmental health, and socio-economic equity.

Need of Sustainable Agriculture

• Over-dependence on Rainfall: Indian agriculture is largely rain-fed, with around 60% of the cultivated area depending on monsoon rains. 
• Agricultural Price Volatility: Price volatility forces farmers to sell their produce at low prices during peak harvest seasons. 
• Limited agricultural processing capacity and low levels of mechanization leads to post-harvest losses. Farmers are also unable to add value to their produce, leading to lower returns.
• Access to Finance: Small farmers face difficulties in accessing credit and financial services. 

Initiatives taken for sustainable agriculture

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): FPOs have emerged as a key tool to support small and marginal farmers by aggregating their produce, providing access to technology, and improving their market presence. 
• Warehouse Receipt Financing: Warehouse receipt financing allows farmers to store their produce and sell it later when prices are more favorable. 
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) focuses on promoting climate-resilient farming, efficient water use, and soil health management.
• National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) strengthens agricultural resilience through climate-focused research, technology demonstration, and capacity building.
• Bio-fertilizers are promoted to reduce chemical usage and enhance soil microbial health.

Concluding remarks

• The 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting marks a collective step towards redefining the global food system—making it more just, resilient, and farmer-centric. 
• For India, the summit reaffirmed the vision of an agriculture-led inclusive growth model, placing smallholder farmers and sustainability at the heart of policymaking.

Source: AIR