The sixth BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture, held on September 23, 2016, in New Delhi, convened Agriculture Ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to advance cooperative initiatives and tackle common challenges in agriculture and food security. They celebrated progress in agricultural technology cooperation, climate change adaptation, and strategies securing access to food for vulnerable populations. A firm commitment was made to invest in agricultural productivity and support smallholder farmers, including enhancing infrastructure and water management, showcasing a move towards sustainable and innovative agricultural practices in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The importance of investment across the agricultural value chain, including both public and private sectors, was emphasized to address changing dietary patterns and rising demand. Digital technologies’ role in connecting farmers to markets and resources was also acknowledged as vital for growth. Addressing the impacts of climate change on agriculture was recognized as a critical collaborative effort, promoting climate-resilient agricultural technologies and sharing of best practices.

A noteworthy outcome was the support for the virtual BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BRICS-ARP) aimed at promoting food security and sustainable agricultural development. The importance of sustaining agricultural trade, preserving land with agricultural potential, and promoting pulses as part of the International Year of Pulses initiative were other significant points agreed upon.

The meeting concluded with expressions of thanks to India for hosting and an endorsement of China as the host for the next meeting in 2017, reinforcing the commitment to ongoing collaboration within the BRICS nations to enhance agricultural cooperation and global food security.