Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asserted on Friday that ensuring the welfare and empowerment of small farmers was central to strengthening global food security and sustainable agricultural growth.
Addressing the Agriculture Ministers of BRICS nations at a two-day conference in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan noted that the event serves as an important platform for collectively addressing challenges faced by small and marginal farmers across the world, particularly those arising from climate change, pressure on natural resources, rising input costs and uncertainties in agricultural markets. If small and marginal farmers become economically strong and technologically capable, he said, the world’s food security structure will also become stronger and more resilient.
During the inaugural session, Chouhan presented India’s agricultural achievements, cultural values and commitment to global cooperation. He highlighted India’s focus on strengthening international agricultural partnerships under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stressed the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which views the entire world as one family.
Addressing the representatives from BRICS nations, Chouhan referred to India’s long-standing tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (‘The guest is our God’) and extended a warm welcome to all delegates. He said India has consistently supported the principles of global unity, peace and cooperation and reiterated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country’s approach is based on “peace, not war; coordination, not conflict”. According to him, these principles can become the foundation for stronger and more effective global agricultural cooperation in the future.
Highlighting India’s agricultural achievements, Chouhan said the country’s agriculture sector has registered an average annual growth of nearly 4.5 per cent over the last decade. He informed delegates that India’s total foodgrain production has now reached nearly 376 million tonnes (MT), reflecting sustained growth in the sector. Wheat production has reached close to 118 million tonnes, while horticulture production has crossed 378 million tonnes. Fish production has also increased significantly and has now exceeded 19 million tonnes, demonstrating broad-based growth across multiple agricultural and allied sectors.
He further said that India is implementing the world’s largest food security programme, through which food security is ensured for a very large section of the population. Appreciating the role played by farmers in strengthening the agricultural economy, Chouhan said these achievements were possible because of the hard work, dedication and resilience of farmers along with the support of sensitive and farmer-centric government policies. He added that India’s agricultural growth story reflected the country’s determination to ensure both food sufficiency and nutritional security.
Chouhan said approximately 43 per cent of India’s workforce is associated with agriculture and allied sectors, making it one of the most important pillars of the country’s economy. He noted that agriculture is not only linked to food security but also serves as the primary source of livelihood for millions of rural families.
Emphasising the role of small and marginal farmers in India’s agricultural structure, Chouhan said nearly 87 per cent of farmers in the country belong to this category. Therefore, empowering them remains the key to ensuring inclusive and balanced development in rural India. He said the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is providing direct financial assistance to crores of farmers, helping them meet agricultural and household requirements. Similarly, initiatives such as the Kisan Credit Card scheme and crop insurance programmes are providing financial security and institutional support to cultivators during times of uncertainty and crop losses.
Speaking about sustainable agriculture, Chouhan stressed the importance of natural farming and balanced use of chemical fertilisers while maintaining soil health. He said preserving soil fertility and reducing excessive dependence on chemical inputs are essential for long-term agricultural sustainability. Referring to the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ launched from Madhya Pradesh, he said the campaign is helping provide scientific information, technical guidance and services to farmers at the grassroots level. Through the campaign, farmers are increasingly adopting natural farming methods and using organic inputs in cultivation practices.
The Union minister also highlighted the importance of women’s participation in agriculture and rural development. He described women’s empowerment as one of the strongest foundations of agricultural transformation and said crores of women across the country are now taking leadership roles in agriculture and allied activities through Self-Help Groups. According to him, initiatives such as ‘Drone Didi’ are becoming symbols of technological and social transformation in rural India, enabling women to access modern agricultural technologies and contribute more actively to rural economic development.
Chouhan also underlined the growing role of youth in modern agriculture and said increasing participation of young people through innovation, startups, digital technology and agri-entrepreneurship is making the sector more modern, efficient and attractive. He said the integration of technology with agriculture is opening up new opportunities and helping create a future-ready agricultural ecosystem capable of addressing emerging global challenges.
Appealing to BRICS nations for greater collaboration, Chouhan urged all member countries to work together towards empowering small farmers, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development across the world. He expressed confidence that the conference would help create stronger partnerships through the exchange of experiences, technological cooperation and policy dialogue.
According to him, collective efforts by BRICS nations can provide a new direction to global agriculture and contribute significantly to building a more secure, sustainable and inclusive agricultural future.
The BRICS countries include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.