Overview
The BRICS Indore Declaration was adopted on 15 June 2026 with four priorities: farmers, food security, climate and technology. Four new initiatives include Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology, Digital Agriculture Network, Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights, and BRICS AgriN. India also proposed a BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network.
A Historic Meeting in Indore
On 15 June 2026, the BRICS Agriculture Ministers met in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. After deep discussions, they unanimously adopted the BRICS Indore Declaration . India’s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the farmer was at the centre of all deliberations. The declaration focuses on food security, climate-resilient farming, agricultural trade, digital agriculture, and farmer welfare. It comes at a time of ongoing geopolitical tensions. BRICS countries together represent nearly half of the world’s population, own about 42% of global agricultural land, and produce 42% of the world’s food grain. This declaration aims to use this strength for global good.
The Four Priorities of the Indore Declaration
The declaration is built on four main priorities:
1. Farmers
The farmer is the heart of the declaration. All policies and initiatives are designed to benefit the people who grow our food. The declaration recognises that without happy and healthy farmers, there can be no food security.
2. Food Security
BRICS countries want to ensure that every person has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. This is not just about producing more food. It is about making sure food reaches those who need it most.
3. Climate
Climate change is a big threat to farming. The declaration promotes climate-resilient farming. This means growing food in ways that can withstand droughts, floods, and heatwaves. It also means reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture.
4. Technology
Modern technology can transform farming. The declaration encourages the use of artificial intelligence, geospatial technology, digital public infrastructure, and data-based solutions. Technology can help farmers get better prices, reduce waste, and increase yields.
Four New Institutional Initiatives
Along with the declaration, four new initiatives were proposed. These will give practical shape to the priorities.
1. Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture
A BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence will be established. These centres will focus on natural, organic, and regenerative farming practices. They will conduct joint research, share experiences, and build capacity. In India, the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram has been given an important role as a Centre of Excellence on natural farming. This network will help member countries learn from each other’s best practices.
2. BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture
This network will give new direction to cooperation in digital agriculture. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence, geospatial technology, digital public infrastructure, and data-based agricultural solutions. IIT Delhi will coordinate this network from India. The goal is to help farmers use digital tools to make better decisions.
3. Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems
This forum will protect farmers’ seed rights, the diversity of indigenous seeds, and traditional knowledge. Farmers have been saving and sharing seeds for thousands of years. Big seed companies often patent seeds, making them expensive and less diverse. This forum will work to keep farmers in control of their own seeds.
4. BRICS AgriN (Agro Input, Genetic Resources and Information Network)
BRICS AgriN will strengthen cooperation in agricultural inputs, seeds, and genetic resources. It will promote information exchange, capacity building, technical cooperation, and partnerships. The idea is to share information about the best crop varieties, genetic resources, and inputs available in different countries. This will help develop practical solutions for farmers.
BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network
On 12 June 2026, the BRICS Urbanisation Forum concluded in Delhi. India’s Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal announced that BRICS countries had accepted India’s proposal to set up a BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network . This network will be a virtual, low-cost, flexible platform. It will support systematic knowledge sharing and mutual learning on urban issues. It will help bridge the gap between policy and implementation by exchanging practical solutions, city-level experiences, and operational lessons. The network will be coordinated each year by the lead institution of the BRICS Chair country.
A Human Touch: The Farmer’s Voice
Imagine a small farmer in Maharashtra. She grows vegetables on two acres. She saves seeds from her best plants. She uses natural fertilisers. She has no access to modern technology. The BRICS Indore Declaration is for her. The Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights will protect her right to save and share seeds. The Centres of Excellence will teach her better natural farming methods. The Digital Agriculture Network may one day give her weather advice on her phone. She is not just a name in a declaration. She is the reason BRICS countries came together in Indore.
Background: BRICS and the New Development Bank
BRICS originally stood for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In 2025, Indonesia officially joined as a full member. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates are also members. Saudi Arabia has been invited to join. BRICS now represents almost half the world’s population and nearly one-quarter of the global economy.
The acronym BRIC was first used in 2001 by Goldman Sachs. The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010. The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by BRICS countries. The idea was conceived in 2012 during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The agreement was signed on 15 July 2014 during the Fortaleza Summit in Brazil. This is known as the Fortaleza Declaration . The NDB became operational on 21 July 2015.
What This Means for the Future
The Indore Declaration is ambitious. It puts farmers first. It recognises that food security cannot be achieved without climate action and technology. The four new initiatives create concrete mechanisms for cooperation. The Urban Research Network will help BRICS cities learn from each other. Together, these steps can reshape global food systems and urban development. For India, hosting these meetings and proposing these networks shows its leadership within BRICS.
Exam-Focused Points
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BRICS Indore Declaration adopted: 15 June 2026 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
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Four priorities: Farmers, food security, climate, technology.
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Four new initiatives:
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Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture (India’s IIFSR Modipuram as one)
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BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture (coordinated by IIT Delhi)
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Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems
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BRICS AgriN (Agro Input, Genetic Resources and Information Network)
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BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network: Proposed by India, accepted by BRICS at Urbanisation Forum in Delhi (12 June 2026).
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BRICS members (2026): Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (Saudi Arabia invited).
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New Development Bank (NDB): Established by Fortaleza Declaration (2014), operational 2015.
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First BRICS Summit: 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
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BRIC coined by: Goldman Sachs in 2001.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the BRICS Indore Declaration?
A: It is a declaration adopted by BRICS Agriculture Ministers on 15 June 2026 in Indore. It sets four priorities (farmers, food security, climate, technology) and four institutional initiatives for agricultural cooperation.
Q2: What is the Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems?
A: It is a new initiative under the Indore Declaration to protect farmers’ rights to save, share, and use indigenous seeds, and to preserve traditional knowledge.
Q3: Which Indian institutions are involved in the new BRICS agricultural initiatives?
A: The Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram will be a Centre of Excellence on natural farming. IIT Delhi will coordinate the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture.
Q4: What is the BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network?
A: It is a virtual, low-cost platform proposed by India and accepted by BRICS. It will enable knowledge sharing on urban issues, city-level experiences, and policy implementation among BRICS countries.
Q5: When was the New Development Bank established?
A: The agreement was signed on 15 July 2014 (Fortaleza Declaration) and it became operational on 21 July 2015.