BRICS nations on Saturday adopted the 'Indore Declaration' at the end of a five-day meeting of agriculture ministers and officials held under India's presidency. According to reports from PIB Delhi, the declaration commits member countries to deeper cooperation in agriculture and launches several new initiatives. The 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting was successfully convened on 12-13 June 2026 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, marking a significant milestone as the first BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting to bring together both Member Countries and Partner Countries. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that amid global crises, the BRICS meeting sent a message of hope, trust and collective responsibility to the world. The declaration follows extensive deliberations on four priority areas -- food and nutritional security, promotion of agricultural trade, climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices, and innovation and technology partnerships in agriculture. The meeting witnessed participation from nearly 100 delegates, including around 60 representatives from member and partner countries, with the grouping accounting for nearly half of the world's population, around 42% of global agricultural land and contributing approximately 42% of global foodgrain production.
Among the key decisions, BRICS nations agreed to establish a 'Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems' to promote farmers' rights and preserve traditional knowledge linked to seed systems. As reported by PIB Delhi, India will coordinate this initiative through the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) in New Delhi. The forum will focus on farmers' seed rights, conservation of indigenous seed diversity and preservation of traditional agricultural knowledge. Chouhan noted that new and hybrid varieties are vital but stressed the importance of indigenous seeds in the context of climate change and food security. According to PIB Delhi, countries like India possess agricultural traditions spanning hundreds and thousands of years, but many traditional seed varieties that represent both biodiversity and cultural heritage are facing existential threats. The forum will work towards ensuring the conservation and continued availability of traditional seeds, recognising their importance in the context of climate change and food security, and safeguarding farmers' traditional knowledge. Chouhan emphasized that while new and hybrid varieties are essential, preserving indigenous seeds is equally important, highlighting the dual importance of both modern and traditional agricultural practices.
The member nations endorsed the creation of a Network on Digital Agriculture among BRICS countries to foster cooperation in artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, digital public infrastructure, and data-driven agricultural solutions. According to PIB Delhi, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi will lead the initial coordination of this network, bridging cutting-edge innovation with practical agricultural applications for farmers. The network will strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, digital public infrastructure and data-driven agricultural solutions, acting as a bridge between emerging technologies and agricultural innovation to ensure that technological advancements directly benefit farmers. Additionally, BRICS countries agreed to strengthen the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BARP) and transform it into a 'Knowledge-to-Action Hub' to ensure research outcomes reach farmers more quickly. The Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, functioning under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will undertake initial coordination work for the 'BRICS Centres of Excellence Network' in agroecology and regenerative agriculture, serving as the Centre of Excellence on Natural Farming in India. The BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture will serve as a platform for joint research, knowledge exchange and capacity building on natural, organic and regenerative agriculture, enabling member countries to learn from each other's best practices and promote climate-resilient and sustainable farming systems.
The grouping also agreed to continue discussions on operationalising the proposed 'BRICS Grain Exchange', aimed at strengthening foodgrain trade and supply chains among member countries. As reported by PIB Delhi, the member nations reiterated their commitment to a 'fair, inclusive and transparent' multilateral trading system and discussed measures to facilitate agricultural trade. Chouhan reaffirmed BRICS' commitment to a fair, equitable, inclusive and transparent multilateral trading system, with the BRICS Grain Exchange initiative gaining fresh momentum through a special dialogue organised by India. The Minister also informed that several bilateral meetings among member countries focused on facilitating agricultural trade, reducing customs and other barriers, enhancing research cooperation and promoting technology exchange. The initiative could improve foodgrain trade, market linkages and supply-chain cooperation across BRICS nations, with the grouping representing nearly half of the world's population, accounting for about 42% of global agricultural land and contributing roughly 42% of global foodgrain production.
Addressing agricultural input costs, Chouhan reiterated the Indian government's commitment to supporting farmers through affordable fertiliser supplies, stating that urea would continue to be available at ₹266 per bag and DAP at ₹1,350 per bag despite rising global input costs. This commitment comes as part of broader support measures for farmers amid global uncertainties. The BRICS AgriN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) Framework was also agreed upon to facilitate cooperation in agricultural inputs, genetic resources and information-sharing, with India serving as the coordinating country for this network. The platform will support the exchange of agricultural resources, technical information and best practices among member nations, particularly aiding countries and farmers with limited resource access. On technology transfer and mechanisation, PIB Delhi reports that not every farmer can afford expensive machinery, therefore Custom Hiring Centres and group-based models have been developed across the country to provide agricultural machinery on rent, enabling small farmers to access drones and modern equipment. Chouhan emphasized that in times of crisis, standing with farmers is their duty, reinforcing the government's commitment to farmer welfare during global uncertainties.
