Adopted during India's 2026 Presidency, the BRICS Indore Declaration establishes four pivotal agricultural networks focusing on digital farming, agroecology, seed rights, and genetic resources. It positions farmers at the core of global food security, climate resilience, and technological innovation.
At the 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Indore, India led the adoption of the BRICS Indore Declaration to modernize global food systems through digital technology.
Farmer-Centric Charter: The declaration establishes a policy framework that shifts focus from mere production targets to the empowerment of smallholder farmers and the improvement of rural livelihoods.
Global Food Security: The 11 BRICS members command nearly half of the world's population, 42% of global agricultural land, and 42% of global foodgrains, mandating collective action to mitigate supply chain disruptions and volatile fertilizer prices.
Sustainability Mandate: Ministers commit to scaling agroecology and regenerative agriculture to restore soil health, reduce chemical dependency, and expand Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
Key Highlights of the Declaration
Seed Rights: Leaders launch the Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems, coordinated by India’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), to protect indigenous seed diversity.
Digital Agriculture: The bloc establishes the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, anchored by IIT Delhi, to foster cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and geospatial solutions.
Climate Resilience: Members form the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, with India’s ICAR–Indian Institute of Farming System Research (IIFSR) serving as the lead center.
Knowledge-to-Action: The BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BARP) transforms into a dynamic hub, ensuring a strict "Lab to Land" approach for small and marginal farmers.
AgriN Network: The BRICS AgriN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) standardizes the voluntary exchange of resilient crop varieties and bio-inputs across the Global South.
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Digital Agriculture in BRICS Precision Farming: Member states deploy geospatial intelligence and drone technologies to optimize water and fertilizer usage, effectively reducing input costs. AI-Driven Support: IIT Delhi coordinates the roll-out of AI-based systems that provide real-time weather advisories, pest prediction models, and disease forecasting. Smart Irrigation: Nations integrate IoT-enabled sensors to monitor soil moisture and automate water distribution, significantly improving efficiency in drought-prone regions. Data Sovereignty: The declaration promotes the construction of robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) while strictly maintaining national data sovereignty. |
Global Leadership: India leverages its 2026 BRICS Presidency to anchor three major initiatives, positioning itself as the technological leader of the Global South.
Economic Protection: The declaration shields domestic farmers from international price shocks and facilitates the operationalization of the BRICS Grain Exchange to ensure transparent trade.
Agri-Tech Export: India exports its successful DPI models, providing a massive global platform for domestic agri-tech startups to scale operations.
Operationalizing Networks: Member states must establish dedicated funding mechanisms and permanent secretariats to ensure the longevity of the four new agricultural networks.
Regulatory Alignment: Governments must dismantle trade barriers to facilitate the seamless transfer of genomic tools, AI models, and farm mechanization equipment via the BRICS Basic Agricultural Information Exchange System (BAIES).
Collaborative Research: Stakeholders must upgrade the BARP by linking agricultural universities and private enterprises to fast-track the deployment of climate-resilient solutions.
The BRICS Indore Declaration is a transformative, farmer-centric roadmap that harnesses digital innovation, seed sovereignty, and regenerative agroecology to secure resilient global food systems against climate and geopolitical shocks.
Source: TIMESOFINDIA
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements regarding the BRICS Indore Declaration (2026):
Which of the statements given above are correct? A) 1 and 2 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Under the BRICS Indore Declaration (2026) adopted at the 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting, the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will be initially coordinated by IIT Delhi. The Indian Institute of Farming System Research (IIFSR), Modipuram, is tasked with coordinating a different platform: the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture. Statement 2 is correct: The declaration successfully established the Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems. Coordinated primarily by India's Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), it aims to preserve traditional knowledge and protect indigenous seed diversity. Statement 3 is correct: According to data highlighted during the ministerial session, the BRICS nations collectively command huge agricultural weight, accounting for roughly 42% of global agricultural land and 42% of global foodgrain production. |
Adopted in June 2026, the Indore Declaration is a historic, farmer-centric charter signed by BRICS nations to unify global efforts on food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience under India's presidency.
The declaration establishes a Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems to legally protect the traditional rights of farmers to save, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds, recognizing them as the primary custodians of biodiversity.
Digital agriculture serves as a core pillar through the new BRICS Digital Agriculture Network—coordinated by IIT Delhi—which deploys AI, geospatial data, and digital public infrastructure to boost farm productivity.
The agreement cements India’s global leadership in agricultural policy, with key domestic institutions like ICAR and IIT Delhi appointed to lead international centres of excellence for agroecology and digital innovation.
Member nations are collectively tackling climate change impacts on crop yields, supply chain disruptions, malnutrition, and the urgent need to transition smallholder farmers toward regenerative, chemical-free farming systems.
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