1. Preamble

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Republic of India, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of the Republic of South Africa, have elaborated this Strategy with the aim of strengthening intra-BRICS Agricultural Cooperation for enhancing and expanding food security and nutrition cooperation of the BRICS countries.

Key outcomes have been achieved in BRICS agricultural cooperation with appreciation of the intra-BRICS efforts since the cooperation mechanism was established in 2010, which contributes to securing food security in the BRICS countries.

BRICS countries account for about 40% of global grain production and are both emerging markets and major developing countries.

Challenges concerning food security and nutrition are being faced by the BRICS countries in the wake of COVID-19, climate change, frequent natural disasters, volatile international markets.

Against this background, BRICS countries need to strengthen cooperation to further enhance food security. We will strive to maintain sustainable agriculture production, unhindered supply and distribution of agriculture inputs (seeds, fertilizers and plant protection products) and agriculture products, access to markets and stable functioning of value and logistic chains, and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation and exchange.

2. Principles

2.1 The BRICS countries shall be guided by the principle of consensus in pursuit of the aim of this Strategy.

2.2 The BRICS countries shall, in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, equality and mutual respect and understanding leverage intra-BRICS agricultural cooperation.

2.3 This Strategy is in line with the BRICS Action Plan 2021-24 for Agricultural Cooperation of BRICS countries.

3. Cooperation Areas

In the pursuit of the aims of this Strategy, cooperation areas for food security may include:

3.1 Digital agriculture;
3.2 Agricultural science and technology;
3.3 Agricultural machinery and equipment;
3.4 Agricultural inputs (chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc.);
3.5 Agricultural trade and investment;
3.6 Sustainable utilization of natural and unnatural resources such as arable land;
3.7 Control of animal diseases and plant pests;
3.8 Food loss and waste reduction across the agricultural value chain;
3.9 Agricultural research;
3.10 Food security data sharing to promote best practices;
3.11 Agricultural adaptation to climate change; and
3.12 Fisheries and aquaculture;
3.13 Agricultural best practices.

4. Cooperation Models

Cooperation models of the BRICS countries shall include, but not limited to, the following:

4.1 Establishing information exchange mechanisms.
· Facilitating exchange of visits;
· Maintaining regular exchanges of agricultural policies;
· Encouraging primary-level exchanges in various forms, such as participation in seminars or exhibitions held under the BRICS framework; and
· Promoting the sharing of information and resources via existing BRICS platforms.

4.2 Organizing activities such as knowledge sharing, capacity building, personnel exchanges, training courses, and seminars.