By Abdullahi Lukman
In a significant move to combat land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss, the BRICS nations have unveiled the “BRICS Land Restoration Partnership” during the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, on Thursday.
This new initiative aims to address pressing agricultural challenges across the 11-member bloc and underscores their collective commitment to fostering a fair, inclusive, and sustainable global agri-food system.
The 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ meeting marked a milestone as it was the first to be held after the expansion of the group, which now includes 11 countries.
In addition to the original five members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—BRICS has recently welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, further expanding the scope and influence of the alliance.
The land restoration partnership, a key part of the meeting’s outcomes, aims to address environmental challenges that threaten food security, agricultural productivity, and the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.
With issues such as soil erosion, desertification, and climate change continuing to affect vast swathes of land across the BRICS nations, the initiative seeks to reverse these negative trends through collaborative efforts focused on sustainable land management practices.
India’s Union Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, represented the country at the meeting and delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of small and marginal farmers in shaping global agricultural policies.
“The welfare of small and marginal farmers should be at the center of all global agricultural strategies,” Chouhan remarked, highlighting India’s stance on promoting policies that cater to the most vulnerable segments of the agricultural community.
BRICS nations, which together account for nearly half of the world’s population and contribute to over a third of the global GDP, voiced their concerns about the inequities in the global food system.
The ministers underscored the need to make agricultural trade fairer, mitigate global price volatility, and ensure that small farmers receive fair remuneration for their produce.
India’s delegation also emphasized the importance of maintaining public food stockholding systems, which can provide crucial support during periods of market instability.
The role of minimum support prices (MSP) was highlighted as essential for protecting farmers’ incomes, ensuring that they are not left vulnerable to price fluctuations.
Additionally, India called for value chains that connect smallholders directly with consumers, reducing the role of intermediaries and ensuring better market access for farmers.
The BRICS nations, in a joint declaration, reaffirmed their commitment to several core objectives in the agricultural sector.
These include advancing food security, enhancing climate adaptation strategies, empowering women and youth in agriculture, promoting sustainable fisheries and livestock development, and ensuring soil and land restoration through cooperative efforts.
The ministers also agreed on the importance of digital agriculture certification to ensure the traceability and safety of food products.
Another important aspect discussed was the role of financial and trade mechanisms in promoting agricultural development, particularly for the countries of the Global South.
The ministers highlighted the need to establish robust systems that can support agricultural economies in these regions, ensuring that they are better equipped to meet both domestic and global food demands.
The announcement of the “BRICS Land Restoration Partnership” is part of a broader effort by the group to address the interconnected challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
With land degradation and climate change continuing to threaten agricultural productivity, the partnership seeks to leverage the collective resources and expertise of the BRICS nations to restore and protect the land on which millions depend for their livelihoods.
The BRICS nations’ commitment to addressing these pressing issues represents a significant step forward in the global effort to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient agricultural system.
As the partnership moves forward, the eyes of the international community will be closely watching to see how these ambitious plans unfold and the impact they will have on the global agricultural landscape.
The outcomes of this meeting are expected to pave the way for more collaborative efforts among BRICS nations and other international partners, as they work toward building a more sustainable agricultural future for the world’s population.