Partnership has been launched at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Meet, held in Brazil.
- India reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, equitable, and Sustainable Agriculture.
- BRICS nations also reaffirmed commitment to a sustainable agri-food system.
About BRICS Land Restoration Partnership
- It will address land degradation, desertification and soil fertility loss.
- It would benefit small farmers, tribal communities, and local cultivators through the convergence of traditional knowledge and scientific innovation.
- Need/Relevance: High rate of land degradation. E.g. In India, approximately 32 % of the land is degraded, and 25 % is undergoing desertification (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)).
Sustainable Agriculture
- It is a system of farming that strives to provide the resources necessary for present human populations while conserving the planet’s ability to sustain future generations
- Key Initiatives taken by India:
- Government Schemes and Initiatives: E.g. National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), etc.
- Water and Resource Management Initiatives: Per Drop More Crop and Watershed Development Programmes (component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY))
- Technological and Digital Interventions: Promotion of Climate-Resilient Crops, Precision farming, AgriStack, etc.
