New Delhi: At the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Summit held in Brazil, a transformative initiative was unveiled that promises to reshape the landscape of global agriculture: the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership. This ambitious collaboration among Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa addresses the critical challenges of land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss. By placing smallholder farmers at its core and blending traditional wisdom with modern innovation, the partnership sets a bold precedent for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient agri-food system.

India’s Vision for Inclusive and Sustainable Farming

India, represented by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, played a pivotal role in shaping the summit’s agenda. In his address, Chouhan emphasized that agriculture is far more than an economic sector—it is a lifeline that sustains food security, livelihoods, and cultural dignity for billions. He highlighted the indispensable role of the world’s 510 million smallholder farmers, who produce a significant share of global food supplies but face mounting threats from climate change, volatile market prices, and dwindling natural resources.

“Smallholder farmers are the backbone of our food systems, yet they are the most vulnerable,” Chouhan declared. “We cannot leave them to battle these challenges alone; they need comprehensive policy support to prosper.” He pointed to India’s remarkable response during the COVID-19 pandemic, where its robust public food stockholding system ensured free rations for over 800 million citizens, as a model of effective governance. This success, he argued, demonstrates the importance of mechanisms like minimum support prices (MSP) and streamlined supply chains that connect farmers directly to consumers, ensuring fair compensation and market stability.

Chouhan’s call for equitable agricultural trade resonated strongly, as he urged BRICS nations to prioritize policies that shield small farmers from global economic shocks. He advocated for fair trade practices, controlled price volatility, and remunerative prices to empower farmers and strengthen global food resilience. His vision underscored a central theme of the summit: global food security and rural development cannot be achieved without protecting and uplifting smallholder farmers.

The BRICS Land Restoration Partnership: A Blueprint for Renewal

The summit’s most significant outcome was the launch of the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership, a groundbreaking initiative designed to tackle the intertwined crises of land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility decline. This collaborative effort unites BRICS nations in a shared mission to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance agricultural productivity, and uplift rural communities, particularly small farmers, tribal groups, and local cultivators. By integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with cutting-edge scientific advancements, the partnership offers a holistic approach to sustainable land management.

Chouhan hailed the initiative as a “beacon of hope” for global agriculture. “This partnership will heal our lands and secure the livelihoods of those who depend on them,” he said. The initiative aligns with international frameworks like the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land), which calls for halting land degradation and restoring ecosystems by 2030.

The partnership’s objectives are multifaceted:

1. Land Restoration: Rehabilitate degraded lands to boost agricultural output and preserve biodiversity.
2. Desertification Control: Implement strategies to curb the expansion of arid zones in vulnerable regions.
3. Soil Health Enhancement: Promote practices that replenish soil nutrients and prevent erosion.
4. Farmer Empowerment: Equip smallholder farmers with tools, training, and market access to thrive sustainably.

The global context underscores the urgency of these goals. Land degradation impacts over 1.5 billion people worldwide, reducing arable land and exacerbating poverty. Desertification threatens food security by expanding arid zones, while soil fertility loss diminishes crop yields, directly affecting farmers’ incomes. The BRICS Land Restoration Partnership positions itself as a vital response to these challenges, offering a scalable model for other regions to emulate.

India’s Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture

India’s presentation at the summit showcased a robust portfolio of policies, programs, and technological innovations that position it as a global leader in sustainable agriculture. These initiatives reflect a commitment to balancing productivity with environmental stewardship while prioritizing the welfare of smallholder farmers.

Policy and Government Programs

• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): This flagship program promotes climate-resilient farming practices, soil health management, and resource conservation to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): By encouraging chemical-free farming, ZBNF reduces costs for farmers and minimizes environmental harm, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Resource Conservation Efforts

• Per Drop More Crop: A component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), this initiative optimizes water use in agriculture, addressing water scarcity in drought-prone regions.
• Watershed Development Programs: These efforts enhance soil and water conservation, combating land degradation and improving agricultural resilience.

Technological and Digital Innovations

• Digital Agriculture Mission: This initiative leverages data and technology to enhance service delivery, improve farming efficiency, and boost farmer incomes.
• AgriStack: A digital platform that provides farmers with access to real-time data, market insights, and government services, fostering informed decision-making.
• Drone Technology: Drones enable precision farming, optimizing resource use and reducing environmental impact.
• Climate-Resilient Villages: These community-driven projects equip rural areas with adaptive farming practices to mitigate climate risks.

India’s commitment to gender equality was also a focal point. Programs like Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi empower rural women by providing economic opportunities and training in modern agricultural technologies. “Women are the heart of Indian agriculture,” Chouhan affirmed. “Their social, economic, and political empowerment is not just a goal—it is our mission.”

A Unified BRICS Commitment

The summit culminated in a Joint Declaration, where BRICS nations pledged to transform the global agri-food system into one that is fair, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. The declaration outlined several key commitments:

• Ensuring food security and nutrition for all populations.
• Building climate-resilient agricultural systems to adapt to environmental challenges.
• Empowering women and youth in rural economies to drive inclusive growth.
• Promoting sustainable livestock and fisheries to diversify food systems.
• Restoring soil health and combating land degradation through targeted interventions.
• Advancing digital agriculture tools and certification systems to enhance efficiency.
• Strengthening financial and trade mechanisms to support the agricultural economies of the Global South.

These commitments reflect a shared resolve to address systemic inequities in global agriculture, echoing India’s advocacy for fair trade, stable prices, and farmer-centric policies. The formal launch of the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership further reinforced this collective vision, signaling a unified approach to tackling environmental and social challenges in agriculture.

Global Collaboration and Future Opportunities

Chouhan extended an invitation to BRICS nations to participate in two major upcoming events: World Food India 2025 and the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit 2025. These platforms will serve as hubs for innovation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration in agriculture and related sectors. By fostering partnerships and showcasing cutting-edge solutions, these events aim to amplify the impact of initiatives like the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership.

In his closing remarks, Chouhan drew on India’s ancient Vedic philosophy, offering a universal benediction: “May all be happy, may all be healthy, may there be welfare and well-being for all.” This message encapsulated India’s dual role as a national leader and a global advocate for inclusive, sustainable development.

Why the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership Matters

The BRICS Land Restoration Partnership is a game-changer for global agriculture. By addressing the root causes of land degradation and prioritizing smallholder farmers, it tackles both environmental and socioeconomic challenges. The initiative’s emphasis on blending traditional knowledge with scientific innovation ensures that solutions are culturally relevant and scalable. India’s leadership—through its innovative policies, technological advancements, and commitment to inclusivity—offers a blueprint for other nations to follow.

The partnership’s success will depend on sustained collaboration among BRICS nations, robust funding, and effective implementation at the grassroots level. However, its launch marks a critical step toward a future where agriculture is not only productive but also sustainable and equitable.

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