Agriculture as a Source of Livelihood, Food, and Dignity
Agriculture is not merely an economic activity in India, but a vital source of livelihood, food, and dignity for millions of families. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized this fact during the 15th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers. This highlights the importance of recognizing the multifaceted nature of agriculture, which extends beyond economic benefits to encompass social and cultural dimensions. • The Union Minister also emphasized the need to protect and empower small farmers, who are the backbone of the global food system and are most vulnerable to climate change, price volatility, and resource scarcity. • The global food system relies heavily on smallholder farmers, and they play a critical role in ensuring food security and rural development.
The Need for Collective Empowerment of Small Farmers
Small farmers need policy support to combat the challenges they face. The Union Minister presented cluster-based farming, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and cooperative models as effective approaches for collective empowerment. These models have shown promising results in improving market access, income, and service delivery for small farmers. • Cluster-based farming involves grouping small farmers together to share resources and expertise, promoting collective bargaining power. • FPOs provide a platform for small farmers to come together, share knowledge, and access markets, improving their economic prospects. • Cooperative models enable small farmers to pool their resources, negotiate better prices, and access technical assistance.
Technological Initiatives for Empowerment
The Union Minister highlighted India’s technological initiatives to support the collective empowerment of small farmers. These initiatives include:
- Digital Agriculture Mission
- AgriStack
- Drone Technology
- Climate-Resilient Villages
These innovations have significantly improved service delivery, transparency, and farmer incomes. For instance, Digital Agriculture Mission has enabled farmers to access weather forecasts, soil health monitoring, and market information, empowering them to make informed decisions.
Empowering Rural Women
The Union Minister also emphasized the importance of empowering rural women, particularly through initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi. These programs have demonstrated the impact of social and economic empowerment on rural women, improving their health, education, and economic prospects. • Lakhpati Didi is a program that provides training and support to rural women, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to family income. • Drone Didi is a drone-based program that uses drones to deliver goods and services to rural areas, improving access to markets and services.
Collaboration to Combat Climate Change
The Union Minister called for deeper collaboration among BRICS nations to combat climate change. India shared its key programs, including:
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)
• Waste to Wealth
• Circular Economy
• Bio-fertilizers
• Traditional farming practices
These programs aim to promote sustainable agriculture practices, improve climate resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
BRICS Land Restoration Partnership
The BRICS nations launched the “BRICS Land Restoration Partnership” to address land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss. This initiative aims to benefit small farmers, tribal communities, and local cultivators through the convergence of traditional knowledge and scientific innovation. • The partnership will promote sustainable land management practices, reduce deforestation, and increase soil fertility. • The initiative will benefit small farmers, tribal communities, and local cultivators through improved access to markets, services, and resources.
Joint Declaration and Future Initiatives
The BRICS Agriculture Ministers launched the Joint Declaration, reiterating their commitment to making the global agri-food system fair, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. The declaration emphasized commitments to food security, climate adaptation, empowerment of women and youth, sustainable fisheries and livestock development, soil and land restoration, digital agriculture certification, and promotion of financial and trade mechanisms for the agricultural economies of the Global South. • The Joint Declaration reflected the collective resolve of BRICS nations to promote sustainable agriculture practices and improve the livelihoods of small farmers.
Avenues for Innovation and Partnership
The Union Minister invited BRICS nations to participate in World Food India 2025 and the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit 2025, positioning these platforms as avenues for innovation, partnership, and global collaboration. • These platforms will provide opportunities for BRICS nations to share knowledge, expertise, and resources to promote sustainable agriculture practices and improve the livelihoods of small farmers. • The initiatives will foster global collaboration and knowledge-sharing, promoting the sustainable development of agriculture.
A Universal Benediction
The Union Minister concluded his address with a universal benediction, offering a vision of a world where all are happy, healthy, and prosperous. This vision reflects India’s national priorities and its leadership role on the international stage. • The benediction reflects the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of human well-being and sustainable development. • The vision inspires global cooperation and collective action to promote sustainable development and improve the livelihoods of all people.
