Pretoria – BRICS Ministers of Agriculture have signed a Joint Declaration after a 4-day gathering in Mookgopong in Limpopo.
SA Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza on Monday said she welcomed the signing of the declaration of the 13th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture.
The declaration outlines areas of collaboration, cooperation, and agreement on various interventions among BRICS member countries on agriculture.
The areas of agreement 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 the exchange of agricultural information.
Overview of the Declaration
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.
This can be done by enhancing the adaptive capacity and resilience of people, food, and agriculture production systems.
They further resolved to advocate for joint 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 achieving food security and nutrition were multisectoral and multidimensional.
They emphasised 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 accelerating existing national agriculture and rural development programmes and initiatives with a focus on revitalising 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 toward achieving the targets of the BRICS Action Plan for Agriculture 2021 – 2024.
They appreciated the remarkable progress made since the 12th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture in China, in 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, in 2024.
The ministers wished Russia well as the chair of the 14th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture.
Over the four days, (9-12 August 2023), 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”
The ministers focused on the following BRICS priorities:
I. Promote effective solutions and develop a systemic approach to 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 the development and implementation of its domestic plans and actions,” said Minister Didiza.
The ministers thanked South Africa for the successful hosting of the 13th Meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers and wished the Russian Federation a successful hosting of the meeting in 2024.
The full declaration can be accessed on the DALRRD website: www.dalrrd.gov.za
