Indore, June 8: A five-day agricultural summit of BRICS nations is set to take place in the commercial city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced that the main focus of the meeting will be on small and marginal farmers.
Chouhan informed reporters that from June 9 to 13, Madhya Pradesh will become a key center for global agricultural diplomacy, hosting significant meetings of the BRICS agricultural working group and the agriculture ministers of member countries. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this event aims to address global issues such as food security, sustainable agriculture, empowerment of small farmers, and agricultural innovation.
He emphasized that BRICS nations represent a powerful voice for developing countries, controlling approximately 42 percent of the world’s agricultural land and contributing over 42 percent to global agricultural production. Out of nearly 580 million farmers worldwide, about 70 percent reside in BRICS countries, making the agricultural dialogue among these nations crucial for global food security.
Chouhan highlighted that India’s approach under Prime Minister Modi extends beyond mere agricultural production to include food and nutrition security, increasing farmers’ incomes, job creation, and sustainable development.
The summit will specifically address challenges faced by small farmers, such as limited land, resources, and market access. Emphasis will be placed on increasing production while reducing costs, enhancing access to agricultural loans, and strengthening market connectivity. The role of women and youth in agriculture will also be prioritized, with a special discussion on future food security through women and youth scheduled for June 12.
Chouhan noted the significant contribution of women in the agricultural workforce and the ability of youth to rapidly adopt new technologies and innovations.
The four main priorities of the BRICS agricultural working group include food security and nutrition, agricultural trade and cooperation, climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture, and innovation and research partnerships. Ensuring safe and nutritious food amidst a growing population and changing climate conditions remains a significant challenge, necessitating enhanced trade, investment, technology, and market access among countries.
Addressing climate change as a serious challenge for agriculture, he mentioned that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, drought, and excessive rainfall are impacting farmers. Therefore, there will be a special focus on regenerative farming, climate-resilient agriculture, and the conservation of natural resources to ensure soil and environmental quality for the future.
Chouhan also pointed out that food wastage is a major global issue, with approximately one billion tons of food wasted each year, leading to resource loss and significant greenhouse gas emissions. Discussions will include measures to improve storage, transportation, and supply chains to tackle this problem.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
