BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meet: Land Restoration Partnership
Why in the news
Agriculture ministers of the BRICS bloc met for the 15th time and agreed a joint declaration with farmer empowerment, especially of women, at the centre.
Key facts
- Partnership: BRICS Land Restoration Partnership launched.
- Declaration: fair, inclusive, innovative, sustainable agri-food systems.
- India’s position: strengthen 510 million smallholders, who face climate change, price swings and scarce resources.
Why India needs sustainable agriculture
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rainfall dependence | About 60% of cultivable land relies on monsoon |
| Price volatility | Poor storage and market links force low-price sales |
| Post-harvest loss, low mechanisation | Weak infrastructure limits value addition |
| Finance access | Smallholders struggle to get credit and insurance |
Government initiatives
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for aggregation and market access.
- Warehouse receipt financing to store crops and sell later.
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) for water efficiency, soil health and climate-smart farming.
- NICRA for climate-resilient technology and research.
- Bio-fertilisers to cut chemical use.
About BRICS
- Founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
- New members in 2023-24: Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
Exam angle
- Meeting: 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting.
- NICRA expands to National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture.
- BRICS term origin: Jim O’Neill, 2001.