Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza has welcomed the signing of the Joint Declaration of the 13th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture at the conclusion of a 4-day gathering of the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture in Mookgopong in the Limpopo province, South Africa.
The Declaration outlines areas of collaboration, cooperation, and agreement on
various interventions among BRICS member countries on agriculture.
These include, reducing the impact of climate change on agriculture and food production; ensuring access to food for the most vulnerable population; agriculture trade and investment;
enhancing agricultural technology cooperation and innovation and strengthening
exchange of agricultural information.
The following is a brief overview of the Declaration.
On climate change, the BRICS Ministers of Agriculture called for the provision of
means of implementation for developing countries to enable them to reduce the
negative impacts of climate change on food security by enhancing the adaptive
capacity and resilience of people, food, and agriculture production systems.
They further resolved to advocate for joined efforts among BRICS member countries to
address climate change impacts on agriculture. The ministers also support the adoption of agricultural best practices that align with internationally agreed goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Ministers noted that the challenges to achieve food security and nutrition are
multisectoral and multidimensional, they emphasized the need for a collaborative
approach among the 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.
On agriculture and rural development, the ministers committed 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.
The Ministers also 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.