Minister wins BRICS support for South-South farm cooperation plan
Iran's agriculture minister proposed strengthening South-South cooperation in agriculture and food security at a BRICS meeting in India, a call that received broad support from the group's member states, Iranian state media reported.
Gholamreza Nouri Qezeljeh, speaking at the two-day BRICS agriculture ministers' conference in the central Indian city of Indore on Friday, said it was "essential" to expand South-South cooperation as a pillar of sustainable agricultural development, global food security, and to address challenges including climate change, water scarcity, rural poverty, and food insecurity.
The minister called for more effective mechanisms to exchange knowledge, experience, and technology among BRICS members, citing the vast potential of developing countries in agricultural production, indigenous technologies, natural resource management, and rural development.
Nouri Qezeljeh emphasized the role of multilateral cooperation in strengthening global food security. "The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to expand international and regional cooperation to achieve and promote sustainable food security in the world," he said.
Iran's proposal was viewed by several delegations as a constructive approach to enhancing agricultural cooperation within the BRICS framework, according to the report.
The minister also detailed Iran's programs in empowering rural women and youth. "Women and youth are the axis of rural development and food security in Iran," Nouri Qezeljeh said. "They play a key role in the sustainable development of villages and account for a significant share of employment and economic activities in Iran's rural areas."
Referring to Iran's efforts to adapt to climate change, he noted that more than 90% of Iran's territory is located in arid and semi-arid regions. He said Iran, with the support of the government, has implemented extensive programs to cope with climate change.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has implemented numerous programs in recent years in the fields of water resources management, productivity improvement, development of modern agricultural technologies, and adaptation to climatic conditions," the minister added.
The two-day conference began on Friday in Indore as part of a five-day gathering held under India's presidency of BRICS, which comprises 11 major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia – representing over 40% of the global population. The ministerial dialogue is focused on food security, climate-smart agriculture, and the welfare of smallholder farmers, women and youth, and is expected to culminate in the adoption of the 'Indore Declaration' later on Saturday.