BRICS agriculture ministers meet begins in Indore, India pushes for small farmer-centric global cooperation

Indore: The two-day BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting commenced in Indore on Thursday, with India calling for stronger international cooperation to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and ensure global food security. Addressing the inaugural session, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted India's agricultural progress over the past decade and urged BRICS nations to work together on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, technological innovation and farmer welfare. Speaking before delegates from BRICS member countries, Chouhan said India’s approach to global engagement is rooted in the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) and guided by cooperation and peace. He stressed that global agricultural challenges such as climate change, shrinking natural resources, rising cultivation costs and market uncertainties require collective solutions. "Small and marginal farmers are at the centre of global food security. Strengthening their economic and technological capabilities is essential for building a resilient agricultural system worldwide," Chouhan said. India's Agricultural Growth Story Presenting India's agricultural achievements, the minister said the country’s agriculture sector has recorded an average annual growth rate of nearly 4.5 percent over the last ten years. India's total foodgrain production has reached around 376 million tonnes, while wheat production is approaching 118...