The BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting concluded in Indore on 14 June 2025 with the unanimous adoption of the 'Indore Declaration', committing member nations to a coordinated strategy on food security, climate-resilient farming, and farmer empowerment. Hosted by India under its BRICS Presidency, the two-day ministerial gathering brought together nearly 100 delegates, including around 60 from BRICS member and partner countries.

What the Indore Declaration Commits To

The declaration is structured around four core priorities: ensuring food and nutritional security; promoting agricultural trade and cooperation; advancing regenerative, climate-resilient and sustainable practices; and strengthening innovation, technology, and partnerships. A dedicated session addressed the specific challenges facing small and marginal farmers — often termed family farmers — including access to inputs, credit, remunerative prices, and markets.

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, Chouhan noted that BRICS nations collectively represent nearly half the world's population, 42 per cent of global agricultural land, and 42 per cent of global foodgrain production.

Four New Initiatives Launched

At the heart of the declaration are four major new initiatives designed to convert commitments into on-ground action:

1. BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture — A platform for 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, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for natural and organic farming.

2. BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture — Coordinated by IIT Delhi, this network will deploy AI, geospatial technologies, and digital public infrastructure to deliver data-driven solutions directly to farmers.

3. Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems — Aimed at protecting farmers' rights over seeds, conserving indigenous varieties, and preserving traditional knowledge — critical for biodiversity and climate adaptation.

4. BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) — A framework to promote sharing of superior crop varieties, genetic resources, and best practices across member countries.

Additionally, the existing BRICS Agricultural Research Platform is to be strengthened into a 'Knowledge-to-Action Hub', designed to accelerate the transfer of innovations from laboratories to farmers' fields.

Climate, Trade, and India's Agricultural Record

Discussions during the meeting also addressed pressing concerns including 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 practices.

The declaration also reaffirms support for a fair multilateral trading system and explores proposals such as a BRICS grain exchange. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines focused on reducing trade barriers and enhancing technology exchange. Greater participation of youth and women in agriculture, along with support for agri-startups and mechanisation through custom hiring centres, also featured prominently.

Chouhan highlighted India's agricultural performance, noting 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, wheat production has touched nearly 118 million tonnes, horticultural output has crossed 378 million tonnes, and fish production has risen to over 19 million tonnes.

What Comes Next

Implementation of the Indore Declaration's initiatives is expected to benefit millions of farmers across BRICS nations in the years ahead. India's role as host and agenda-setter under its BRICS Presidency positions the country as a key driver of the bloc's agricultural cooperation framework going forward.