Parliament Question: Agricultural Research and Technology Collaboration within BRICS Framework

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 271 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION WITHIN BRICS FRAMEWORK

271. SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

SHRI RAJKUMAR CHAHAR:

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी

be pleased to state:

(a) the manner/extent to which India is contributing to agricultural research and technology collaboration within the BRICS framework;

(b) whether there are any specific programmes aimed at increasing Soyabean production through Brazil-India collaboration;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of Government’s roadmap for increasing agricultural exports and improving processing infrastructure through global ties/partnership? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)

(a): The Government of India (GoI) has actively contributed to agricultural research and cooperation within the BRICS framework through a multifaceted approach aimed at enhancing food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and facilitating knowledge exchange amongst the member countries.

India, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and associated research institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is at the forefront in sharing innovations and best practices in areas including climate-resilient agriculture, crop diversification, soil health management, and precision farming.

Under the aegis of the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BRICS-ARP) launched during India’s BRICS Presidency in 2021, the GoI has facilitated the pooling of research capacities and the exchange of scientific expertise. This platform serves as a virtual network of research institutions across BRICS countries, supporting joint projects, pilot initiatives, and training programmes.(b) & (c): ICAR has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Brazil, in July 2025, which includes the areas of cooperation on developing the climate resilient yielding crops of Soyabean.

(d): The Government of India has undertaken various initiatives aimed at promoting agricultural exports and strengthening processing infrastructure, with a view to leveraging global partnerships and expanding international market opportunities. The Agriculture Export Policy outlines broad strategies for addressing supply chain challenges, promoting product diversification, and improving logistics and storage infrastructure, including cold chains, to reduce post-harvest losses.

India’s diplomatic missions have been engaged in facilitating agri-export promotion through buyer-seller meets and trade dialogues. Commodity Boards like the Coffee Board and Tea Board are also involved in overseas promotional efforts for key export commodities, in coordination with exporters and trade bodies.

Support has also been extended towards enabling exporters to align with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards and technical regulations. Measures such as the adoption of the e-Phyto certification system have been used to streamline the exchange of SPS certificates and improve transparency and efficiency in compliance.

To support value addition and branding in exports, certain measures have been undertaken,

including: Development of sea protocols for perishable produce, Improvements in packaging and traceability, promotion of certification systems such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Assistance in obtaining international quality and safety certifications, Training and capacity building at the farmer and exporter levels.

India has also participated in global trade events like BIOFACH, Gulfood, AAHAR, Organic and Natural Products Expo, and Indus Food to explore export promotion avenues and showcase Indian agri-products to a wider global audience.

Platforms such as World Food India have been positioned as opportunities to facilitate investor engagement and enhance international exposure for Indian food processing enterprises.

Additionally, bilateral engagements, including through Joint Working Groups (JWGs) with select partner countries, aimed to collaborate in areas such as food processing technology, cold chain solutions, automation, food park development, and institutional partnerships.

On the infrastructure front, schemes such as the Agro-Processing Cluster Scheme, Integrated Cold Chain Scheme, and other initiatives for the creation or modernization of food processing and preservation capacities have been introduced to encourage investment and improve the competitiveness of Indian agricultural products in the global market.

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