New resolve for BRICS agricultural cooperation from Indore : Shivraj Singh Chouhan addresses inaugural session

India emphasises global partnership under PM Modi’s leadership and the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ : Shivraj Singh Chouhan

5 Dariya News

Indore 12-Jun-2026

The two-day conference of agriculture ministers of BRICS countries commenced in Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh and a city recognised for cleanliness, with Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan presenting India’s agricultural achievements, cultural values and commitment to global cooperation.

During the inaugural session, Shri Chouhan highlighted India’s focus on strengthening international agricultural partnerships under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and stressed the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which views the entire world as one family.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, was also present on the occasion. Addressing representatives from BRICS nations, Shri Chouhan referred to India’s long-standing tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, or ‘The guest is our God’, and extended a warm welcome to all delegates attending the conference.

He said India has consistently supported the principles of global unity, peace and cooperation and reiterated that under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country’s approach is based on “peace, not war; coordination, not conflict”. According to him, these principles can become the foundation for stronger and more effective global agricultural cooperation in the future.

The Union Minister said the conference was an important platform for collectively addressing challenges faced by small and marginal farmers across the world, particularly those arising from climate change, pressure on natural resources, rising input costs and uncertainties in agricultural markets.

He said that ensuring the welfare and empowerment of small farmers was central to strengthening global food security and sustainable agricultural growth. If small and marginal farmers become economically strong and technologically capable, he said, the world’s food security structure would also become stronger and more resilient.

Highlighting India’s agricultural achievements, Shri Chouhan said the country’s agriculture sector had registered an average annual growth of nearly 4.5 per cent over the last decade. He informed delegates that India’s total foodgrain production has now reached nearly 376 million tonnes (MT), reflecting sustained growth in the sector.

Wheat production in the country has reached close to 118 million tonnes, while horticulture production has crossed 378 million tonnes. Fish production has also increased significantly and has now exceeded 19 million tonnes, demonstrating broad-based growth across multiple agricultural and allied sectors.

He further said that India is implementing the world’s largest food security programme, through which food security is ensured for a very large section of the population. Appreciating the role played by farmers in strengthening the agricultural economy, Shri Chouhan said these achievements were possible because of the hard work, dedication and resilience of farmers along with the support of sensitive and farmer-centric government policies.

He added that India’s agricultural growth story reflected the country’s determination to ensure both food sufficiency and nutritional security. Shri Chouhan said approximately 43 per cent of India’s workforce is associated with agriculture and allied sectors, making it one of the most important pillars of the country’s economy.

He noted that agriculture is not only linked to food security but also serves as the primary source of livelihood for millions of rural families. Referring to various initiatives launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said programmes relating to improved seed varieties, irrigation expansion, agricultural technology, digital services and farmer support schemes have provided substantial benefits to cultivators across the country.

Emphasising the role of small and marginal farmers in India’s agricultural structure, Shri Chouhan said nearly 87 per cent of farmers in the country belong to this category. Therefore, empowering them remains the key to ensuring inclusive and balanced development in rural India.

He said the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is providing direct financial assistance to crores of farmers, helping them meet agricultural and household requirements. Similarly, initiatives such as the Kisan Credit Card scheme and crop insurance programmes are providing financial security and institutional support to cultivators during times of uncertainty and crop losses.

Speaking about sustainable agriculture, Shri Chouhan stressed the importance of natural farming and balanced use of chemical fertilisers while maintaining soil health. He said preserving soil fertility and reducing excessive dependence on chemical inputs are essential for long-term agricultural sustainability.

Referring to the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ launched from Madhya Pradesh, he said the campaign is helping provide scientific information, technical guidance and services to farmers at the grassroots level. Through the campaign, farmers are increasingly adopting natural farming methods and using organic inputs in cultivation practices.

The Union minister also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in agriculture and rural development. He described women’s empowerment as one of the strongest foundations of agricultural transformation and said crores of women across the country are now taking leadership roles in agriculture and allied activities through Self-Help Groups.

According to him, initiatives such as ‘Drone Didi’ are becoming symbols of technological and social transformation in rural India, enabling women to access modern agricultural technologies and contribute more actively to rural economic development.

Shri Chouhan also underlined the growing role of youth in modern agriculture and said increasing participation of young people through innovation, startups, digital technology and agri-entrepreneurship is making the sector more modern, efficient and attractive.

He said the integration of technology with agriculture is opening up new opportunities and helping create a future-ready agricultural ecosystem capable of addressing emerging global challenges. Appealing to BRICS nations for greater collaboration, Shri Chouhan urged all member countries to work together towards empowering small farmers, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development across the world.

He expressed confidence that the conference would help create stronger partnerships through exchange of experiences, technological cooperation and policy dialogue. According to him, collective efforts by BRICS nations can provide a new direction to global agriculture and contribute significantly to building a more secure, sustainable and inclusive agricultural future.