Lok Sabha Question No. 271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Agricultural Research and Technology Collaboration within BRICS Framework
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh, Shri Rajkumar Chahar, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Balabhadra Majhi, Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Praveen Patel

## 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 22 ND  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 क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी 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 क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (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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