“We, the Ministers of Agriculture of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, gathered in Mookgopong, Limpopo, South Africa, on 12 August 2023, reaffirm our commitment to work together to ensure food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural development for our people.

We recognize that the challenges to achieve food security and nutrition are multisectoral and multidimensional, and emphasize the need for a collaborative approach among BRICS countries in ensuring access to food for all. In addition to this, they acknowledged the significance of food and nutrition security programmes, including food safety nets, in reducing hunger and malnutrition among women, youth, children, older people, and persons with disabilities. To succeed in these initiatives, the ministers stressed the importance of sharing and learning from the experiences of implementing such programmes.

We commit to accelerate existing national agriculture and rural development programmes and initiatives with a focus on revitalizing rural economies and attracting public and private investment while fostering skills development. The ministers also support the reform of the global agricultural trade system through measures that support developing economies. Furthermore, ministers encouraged policies enhancing open, free and fair agricultural trade and encouraged the removal of unjustified trade restrictions.

We took stock of the progress made towards achieving the targets of the BRICS Action Plan for Agriculture 2021-2024. Ministers appreciated the remarkable progress made since the 12th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture in China, 2022. The ministers urged the Agricultural Expert Working Group to urgently work towards even better performance when reporting at the 14th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture in Russia, 2024. The ministers wished Russia well for as the Chair for 14th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture.

Over the four days (9 -12 August), delegates from BRICS member countries namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa deliberated on various challenges under the theme: “Strengthening collaborations towards sustainable agricultural production and increasing productivity” focusing on the following BRICS priorities:

I. Promote effective solutions and develop a systemic approach for food security and nutrition. II. Strengthening agricultural education and skills development to improve sectoral efficiency, productivity and inclusivity. III. Unlocking economic opportunities across the value chains of food and agricultural commodities. IV. Strengthening post-pandemic economic recovery through inclusive and innovative agricultural systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals.

South Africa has positioned itself to meet the international obligations and priorities under BRICS through development and implementation of its domestic plans and actions. The ministers thanked South Africa for the successful hosting of the 13th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture and wished the Russian Federation a successful hosting of the meeting in 2024.