5-Day BRICS Agriculture Meet Opens In Indore With Focus On Food Security And Smart Farming

A five-day meeting of BRICS member nations commenced in Indore on Tuesday, bringing together officials and policymakers to deliberate on some of the most pressing challenges facing the global agriculture sector, including food security, climate-resilient farming, agricultural trade and farmer welfare .

The conference, being held under India's BRICS chairmanship , will see the Agriculture Working Group hold discussions until June 11, followed by a meeting of BRICS agriculture ministers on June 12 and 13. The inaugural session was led by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Secretary Atish Chandra.

The deliberations are expected to focus heavily on food security , as member countries seek strategies to ensure stable and affordable food supplies amid climate change, population growth and global economic uncertainties. Strengthening agricultural production systems and improving resilience against disruptions are likely to be key priorities.

Another major theme is climate-friendly smart agriculture , with participants expected to exchange ideas on sustainable farming practices, efficient water management, adaptation to extreme weather events and technologies that can help reduce agriculture's environmental footprint.

The meeting will also discuss farmer welfare , including measures to improve farm incomes, access to markets, financial support mechanisms and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies by small and marginal farmers.

Delegates are expected to explore ways to facilitate international agricultural trade and strengthen agricultural supply chains , ensuring smoother movement of commodities among BRICS nations and reducing logistical bottlenecks.

Technology-driven solutions are likely to feature prominently in the discussions. Areas such as digital agriculture, agricultural research, knowledge sharing, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics will be examined for their potential to enhance productivity, optimize resource use and improve decision-making in farming.

Nutrition and sustainable agricultural development are also expected to be part of the agenda. Officials said a joint declaration will be issued after agriculture ministers reach a consensus on key issues.

The meeting coincides with the Madhya Pradesh government's declaration of 2026 as the 'Year of Farmer Welfare' .