The 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting was successfully convened on June 12-13, 2026, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, under India's presidency. The meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Joint Declaration, which reflects the collective vision and shared commitments achieved through extensive consultations among member countries over approximately three months of discussions within the BRICS Agriculture Working Group.
The Joint Declaration emphasizes farmer-centric approaches, recognizing the pivotal role of farmers—particularly smallholder farmers—in ensuring global food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering inclusive rural development. The declaration reflects a shared vision to strengthen resilience in agriculture and food systems through innovation, sustainability, and equity.
Four major outcomes were agreed upon: First, the establishment of the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture, with initial coordination by ICAR–Indian Institute of Farming System Research (IIFSR) in Modipuram, India. This initiative will promote sustainable, natural, and climate-resilient farming practices through collaborative research, capacity building, and exchange of best practices.
Second, members agreed to establish a Network on Digital Agriculture among BRICS countries to foster cooperation in artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, digital public infrastructure, and data-driven agricultural solutions. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi will lead the initial coordination of this network.
Third, the launch of the Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems aims to protect and promote farmers' rights while recognizing traditional knowledge, seed heritage, and farmer contributions. India will initially coordinate this initiative through the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) in New Delhi.
Fourth, member countries agreed to establish the BRICS AGRIN (Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network) Framework to strengthen collaboration in seeds, agricultural inputs, and genetic resources through information exchange, technical cooperation, capacity building, and partnerships.
The meeting also resulted in agreements to strengthen two existing initiatives: the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BARP) will be transformed into a dynamic "Knowledge-to-Action Hub" to ensure research outputs are effectively translated into practical, scalable solutions for farmers. Additionally, BRICS countries reaffirmed their commitment to a fair, equitable, inclusive, and transparent multilateral trading system for agricultural trade, with the Special Dialogue on the BRICS Grain Exchange providing important momentum to discussions.
Member countries agreed to strengthen cooperation across key areas including climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, food security, innovation, fisheries, and livestock development. They reached key understandings to integrate outcomes of technical dialogues on food loss reduction, livestock technologies, and aquaculture into future programs to enhance efficiency, nutrition security, and farmer incomes.
BRICS members reaffirmed their commitment to South-South cooperation by promoting technical exchange, capacity building, and agricultural skill development to support food security and sustainable agriculture in developing nations. A Ministerial Dialogue titled "Small Farmers, Women and Youth: Shaping the Future of Food Security" highlighted the critical role of these groups in building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems, emphasizing the need to improve their access to markets, finance, technology, and capacity building.
The meeting facilitated bilateral engagements among participating countries on market access, cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest. It brought together Agriculture Ministers, Vice/Deputy Ministers, senior officials, and representatives from BRICS member countries, with participation from approximately 100 delegates. This marked the first BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting to include both Member Countries and Partner Countries.
Delegates participated in a tree plantation ceremony at Meghdoot Garden in Indore and established a "BRICS Vatika" as a symbolic gesture reflecting shared commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and intergenerational responsibility.