The networks include BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture, BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture, Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems and BRICS AgriN – Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network.

The BRICS Agriculture Ministers and officials-level meetings held in Indore concluded with the adoption of a unanimous ‘Indore Declaration’ that includes several historic decisions giving new direction to food security, farmer welfare, climate-resilient farming, agricultural trade and digital agriculture. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development made it clear that member countries have decided to make collective and sustained efforts to translate all initiatives mentioned in the Indore Declaration into action on the ground so that its benefits actually reach farmers, rural communities and food systems in a real and impactful manner.

BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture

Chouhan announced the establishment of the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture. He said the network would serve as a platform for joint research, knowledge sharing and capacity building in natural, organic and regenerative agriculture, enabling member countries to learn from each other’s best practices and promote climate-resilient and sustainable farming systems. Recalling India’s long-standing emphasis under Prime Minister Narendra Modi on natural farming, organic farming and balanced use of chemical fertilizers, Chouhan said BRICS countries had collectively recognised the importance of these approaches. He informed that the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, would play a key role as India’s Centre of Excellence under the network and contribute to collaborative research, knowledge sharing and training.

 BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture

The second major initiative announced was the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture. Chouhan said the network would strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, digital public infrastructure and data-driven agricultural solutions. He said the initiative would act as a bridge between emerging technologies and agricultural innovation, ensuring that technological advancements directly benefit farmers. The network will be coordinated by IIT Delhi, while all member countries will contribute by sharing innovations, experiences and policy initiatives to ensure collective progress in digital agriculture.

Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems

The third major announcement was the establishment of the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems. According to Chouhan, the forum will focus on protecting farmers’ rights related to seeds, conserving indigenous seed diversity and preserving traditional knowledge systems. He said countries like India possess agricultural traditions spanning hundreds and thousands of years, but many traditional seed varieties that represent both biodiversity and cultural heritage are facing existential threats. “While new and hybrid varieties are essential, preserving indigenous seeds is equally important,” he said. The forum will work towards ensuring the conservation and continued availability of traditional seeds, recognising their importance in the context of climate change and food security, and safeguarding farmers’ traditional knowledge.

 BRICS AgriN – Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network

The fourth initiative announced was BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network). The platform aims to strengthen cooperation among member countries in agricultural inputs, seeds and genetic resources. Chouhan said the network would facilitate information exchange, technical cooperation, capacity building and partnerships so that superior varieties, genetic resources and best practices available in different countries could be shared more effectively. He added that the initiative would particularly benefit countries and farmers with limited access to such resources and information.

Existing platforms to be strengthened

The Union Minister said BRICS countries had agreed to further strengthen the existing BRICS Agricultural Research Platform and develop it into a robust “Knowledge-to-Action Hub”. He stressed that research should not remain confined to laboratories but must quickly reach farmers’ fields. “The objective is to expand innovations beyond limited circles and ensure that new technologies and solutions benefit a larger number of countries and farmers. This represents the true spirit of the ‘Lab to Land’ approach,” he said.

Focus on agricultural trade

Chouhan said BRICS nations reaffirmed their commitment to a fair, equitable, inclusive and transparent multilateral trading system. He said discussions on initiatives such as a BRICS Grain Exchange gained fresh momentum through a special dialogue organised by India. The Minister also informed that several bilateral meetings among member countries focused on facilitating agricultural trade, reducing customs and other barriers, enhancing research cooperation and promoting technology exchange.

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