India Strengthens BRICS Agri-Ties and Boosts Global Agri-Trade Engagement

In a comprehensive effort to reinforce international cooperation in agriculture and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian agri-products, the Government of India (GoI) has unveiled a multi-pronged strategy involving active participation in BRICS agricultural research platforms, strategic trade diplomacy, export promotion, and infrastructure development.

This was outlined by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply presented in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2025.

Deepening Agricultural Cooperation within BRICS

India has been playing a pivotal role in promoting collaborative agricultural research under the BRICS framework. Through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and its apex research body, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the country is driving innovation in sustainable farming, climate-resilient practices, and soil health management.

A key initiative under this effort is the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BRICS-ARP), which was launched during India’s BRICS Presidency in 2021. This virtual consortium links research institutions across BRICS member countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to share best practices, conduct joint research projects, initiate pilot studies, and organize capacity-building programmes.

In a landmark development, ICAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) in July 2025, targeting collaboration in developing climate-resilient soybean varieties. This Indo-Brazilian partnership marks a significant step in cross-continental innovation exchange focused on crop resilience and productivity under changing climate conditions.

Agri-Export Strategy and Global Market Integration

To bolster India’s footprint in international agricultural trade, the Government has implemented strategic interventions aligned with its Agriculture Export Policy. The policy emphasizes:

• Supply chain optimization

• Product diversification

• Improved logistics and storage, especially via integrated cold chains

• Reduction in post-harvest losses

India’s diplomatic missions have actively facilitated buyer-seller meets, bilateral trade talks, and commodity-specific promotional campaigns abroad. Institutions such as the Tea Board, Coffee Board, and Spices Board have been pivotal in brand-building and market development in coordination with exporters and industry bodies.

Additionally, India has adopted international Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural exports. The rollout of the e-Phyto certification system enables the electronic exchange of phytosanitary certificates, reducing delays and improving transparency in global trade compliance.

Enhancing Value Addition, Certification, and Traceability

To support value addition, the government has implemented measures such as:

• Development of sea protocols for perishable commodities

• Promotion of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification

• Training programmes for exporters and farmers

• Assistance in obtaining international food safety and quality certifications

• Improved packaging and traceability mechanisms

These initiatives aim to equip Indian exporters with tools to meet diverse international standards, boost consumer confidence, and improve the brand perception of Indian agri-products globally.

Participation in Global Food Trade Platforms

India continues to project its agri-export potential through its presence at prominent global trade exhibitions and expos, including:

• BIOFACH (Germany)

• Gulfood (UAE)

• AAHAR (India)

• Organic and Natural Products Expo

• Indus Food

These forums serve as strategic avenues for engaging global buyers, exploring new markets, and promoting India’s rich agricultural diversity.

Additionally, mega-events such as World Food India are being promoted as investment-friendly platforms to attract international stakeholders to India’s food processing ecosystem, enabling joint ventures and institutional partnerships.

Strengthening Infrastructure for Processing and Storage

On the infrastructure front, the government is driving investment through schemes like:

• Agro-Processing Cluster Scheme

• Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme

• Initiatives for the creation and modernization of food processing and preservation units

These schemes are aimed at improving shelf life, minimizing waste, and enhancing the export-readiness of agricultural produce. They also facilitate the development of Food Parks, technology integration, and the promotion of automation and cold chain logistics.

Bilateral Collaborations and Future Outlook

Beyond BRICS, India is strengthening bilateral engagements via Joint Working Groups (JWGs) with select nations to collaborate on:

• Food processing technologies

• Cold chain solutions

• Agri-logistics

• Automation

• Knowledge exchange in research and innovation

These efforts collectively aim to elevate India as a global agricultural powerhouse and a reliable food supplier in the international market, while ensuring sustainability, inclusivity, and technological modernization at home.

With initiatives spanning from research alliances to market expansion and logistics infrastructure, the Government’s approach reflects a comprehensive vision for transforming Indian agriculture into a globally integrated, climate-resilient, and innovation-led sector.