In a significant move towards environmental sustainability and food security, BRICS nations, including India, have unveiled the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership, a collaboration designed to combat land degradation, desertification, and soil fertility loss across the group's 11 member countries. This initiative was announced during the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' meeting held in Brasilia, Brazil, marking the first gathering of the expanded BRICS bloc.

The partnership is aimed at addressing the pressing issue of land degradation, which poses a severe threat to global food security and agricultural productivity. It highlights the urgent need for sustainable practices that not only improve soil health but also promote a fair and inclusive agricultural system worldwide. BRICS countries, now comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, represent 47% of the world’s population and contribute 36% of the global GDP.

India’s agriculture and rural development minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led the Indian delegation at the meeting. In his speech, he emphasized the critical importance of placing the welfare of small and marginal farmers at the center of global agricultural strategies. He underscored the need for policies that support smallholder farmers, who are often most affected by the consequences of land degradation and climate change.

The BRICS Land Restoration Partnership seeks to ensure that agricultural trade remains fair, global price volatility is controlled, and that small farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce. India further advocated for the enhancement of public food stockholding systems, the continuation of Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and the development of value chains that connect smallholders directly to consumers.

The expanded BRICS bloc’s agricultural agenda underscores the collective commitment to building a sustainable agri-food system that will benefit not only the farmers but also the global population at large. With agricultural challenges growing due to climate change and increasing global demand, the partnership will serve as a critical framework for ensuring food security and ecological sustainability.

Additionally, the BRICS members expressed their support for controlling global agricultural price volatility, ensuring that small farmers are not disproportionately affected by market fluctuations. The focus on soil health and the restoration of degraded lands reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

The BRICS nations’ move is a timely and necessary step towards transforming the global agricultural landscape. By prioritizing both environmental health and the welfare of small farmers, the partnership aims to create a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for generations to come.

This bold initiative is just one of the many efforts the expanded BRICS group is making to address pressing global challenges, with agriculture playing a central role in the group’s broader strategy for sustainable development.