The 16^th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was successfully convened on 12–13 June 2026 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, under the Presidency of India.

Through many meetings over the past about three months, the BRICS Agriculture Working Group extensively discussed four priorities:

Priority 1: Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods

Priority 2: Agriculture Trade and Cooperation

Priority 3: Regenerative Farming, Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture

Priority 4: Strengthening Partnership for Innovation and Investments for making the Agriculture and Food System future-ready

The meeting concluded with unanimous adoption of the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Joint Declaration, reflecting the collective vision, shared commitments, and consensus achieved through extensive consultations among member countries. (link:https://d2jiw2zrmmyqt8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/13131357/agriculture-doc.pdf)

The Joint Declaration places special emphasis on farmer-centric approaches, recognizing the pivotal role of farmers, emphasising smallholder farmers in ensuring global food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering inclusive rural development, while reflecting a shared vision among BRICS member countries to strengthen resilience in agriculture and food systems through innovation, sustainability, and equity. To take their collective resolve forward the Ministers agreed to take following four major outcomes forward:

The first major highlight of the declaration is the agreement to establish the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, with initial coordination by ICAR–Indian Institute of Farming System Research (IIFSR), Modipuram, India. This initiative will promote sustainable, natural, and climate-resilient farming practices. The ICAR-IIFSR will serve as the Centre of Excellence on Natural Farming in India, driving collaborative research, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices across member countries.

Second, in a significant step towards technology-driven agriculture, members also agreed to establish a Network on Digital Agriculture among BRICS countries. This platform will foster cooperation in artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, digital public infrastructure, and data-driven agricultural solutions. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi will lead the initial coordination of the network, bridging cutting-edge innovation with practical agricultural applications for farmers.

The third key outcome is the launch of the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems, aimed at protecting and promoting farmers’ rights while recognizing traditional knowledge, seed heritage, and farmer contributions. Coordinated initially by India through Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) in New Delhi, this initiative is expected to enhance global dialogue and cooperation on these critical issues.

Fourth, Member countries also agreed to establish of BRICS AGRIN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) Framework to strengthen collaboration in seeds, agricultural inputs, and genetic resources. This Framework will facilitate information exchange, technical cooperation, capacity building, and partnerships among BRICS countries.

The member countries' Agriculture Ministers also agreed to further strengthen two existing initiatives. First, BRICS members agreed to strengthen the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BARP) and transform it into a dynamic “Knowledge-to-Action Hub,” ensuring that research outputs are effectively translated into practical, scalable solutions for farmers.

Second, in the domain of agricultural trade, BRICS countries reaffirmed their commitment to a fair, equitable, inclusive, and transparent multilateral trading system. The Special Dialogue on the BRICS Grain Exchange, hosted by India, provided important momentum to discussions and helped build a shared understanding of its operational aspects.

Member countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation across key areas such as climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, food security, and innovation, alongside fisheries and livestock development, to build sustainable and future-ready agricultural systems. They also reached key understandings to integrate outcomes of technical dialogues on food loss reduction, livestock technologies, and aquaculture into future programmes to enhance efficiency, nutrition security, and farmer incomes.

BRICS members reaffirmed their commitment to South-South cooperation by promoting technical exchange, capacity building, and agricultural skill development, reinforcing its collective role in supporting food security and sustainable agriculture in developing nations.

A Ministerial Dialogue titled “Small Farmers, Women and Youth: Shaping the Future of Food Security” was also held, highlighting the critical role of smallholders, women, and youth in building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems. Delegates emphasized the need to improve access to markets, finance, technology, and capacity building for these groups.

The meeting further provided opportunities for bilateral engagements among participating countries, facilitating constructive dialogue on market access, cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest.

The Joint Declaration stands as a testament to the collective will and shared responsibility of BRICS nations to build resilient food systems, empower farmers, and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

The meeting brought together Agriculture Ministers, Vice/Deputy Ministers, senior officials, and representatives from BRICS member countries, with participation from approximately 100 delegates.

Marking a significant milestone, this was the first BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting to bring together both Member Countries and Partner Countries. Besides participating in the Ministerial Dialogue and a series of bilateral engagements, delegates joined a tree plantation ceremony at Meghdoot Garden in Indore, reflecting the collective resolve of BRICS nations to promote sustainability, climate resilience, and intergenerational responsibility.  

In a symbolic gesture reflecting shared commitment to environmental sustainability, delegates participated in a tree plantation initiative (“BRICS Vatika”), underscoring collective responsibility toward climate action and ecological preservation.

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RC/MS