Agricultural Cooperation Among BRICS Countries: A Panacea For Food Security In The Global South? – Analysis
Agricultural cooperation among BRICS countries is a crucial tactic to address the pressing issues of hunger, poverty, and malnutrition that afflict the Global South. More than 3.2 billion people live in this region, which is facing a complex crisis where access to healthy food and sustainable farming practices sustain cycles of deprivation.
Despite international efforts, 828 million people—many of whom resided in BRICS nations—went hungry in 2022. These issues are exacerbated by geopolitical conflicts, economic instability, and climate change, which disrupt food supply chains and reduce agricultural productivity. In this sense, the BRICS framework presents a unique opportunity for collaboration, enabling member countries to leverage their collective agricultural resources, technology, and knowledge. In order to address persistent issues like food security, malnutrition, and health problems, BRICS has made agricultural cooperation a top priority.
As a crucial concept, Anne Garland Mahler of the University of Virginia has distinguished three primary definitions of the Global South. First of all, it has been used in IGOs to describe economically underdeveloped nation-states and as a post-Cold War alternative to the term "Third World." Second, it has been applied post-nationally to regions and people negatively impacted by contemporary capitalist globalization. Deterritorial conceptualization, which refers to the transnational political subject's resistant imaginary resulting from a shared experience of oppression under contemporary global capitalism, gives it a third meaning.
Current State of Hunger, Poverty, and Malnutrition
Hunger, malnutrition, and poverty are complex problems, have been facing by the Global South, which includes regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Despite the numerous interventions of national, regional, and international organizations, millions of people continue to suffer, and ongoing conflicts, economic instability, and climate change often exacerbate these issues.
The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report estimates that 828 million people globally went hungry in 2022, with the Global South accounting for a significant portion of this number. According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, a large number of nations in this region—particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa—have alarming or serious levels of hunger. The economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted livelihoods and food supply chains, are one of the numerous causes of this hunger crisis. Conflicts in countries like Yemen, South Sudan, and Syria have hindered food production and access. Furthermore, more extreme weather events like droughts and floods threaten agricultural productivity in already vulnerable areas, making climate change a serious threat.
Around 700 million people, or 8.5% of the global population, make less than $2.15 per day and are considered to be living in extreme poverty. Progress has stalled because of low growth, COVID-19 setbacks, and increased fragility. In low-income countries, poverty rates are higher than they were prior to the pandemic. 44% of the world's population, or about 3.5 billion people, still live below the poverty line, which is more suitable for upper middle-income countries ($6.85 per day). Since the 1990s, the number of people living below this level has barely changed due to population growth.
In 2024, 67 percent of people living in extreme poverty were in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the region only comprising 16 percent of the world's population. Two-thirds of the world's population lives in extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa; when all fragile and conflict-affected countries are included, the percentage jumps to three-quarters. Roughly 72 percent of the world's extreme poor live in countries eligible for International Development Association (IDA) assistance (Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report, WB, 2024).
Malnutrition is a complicated problem with a wide range of manifestations in the Global South. Stunting is a symptom of chronic malnutrition that affects 149 million children under five, according to the Global Nutrition Report 2023. Stunting rates are the highest among in the South Asian nations. However, approximately 45 million children suffer from stunted children, a severe form of malnutrition that significantly increases the risk of death. Furthermore, 2 billion people globally experience hidden hunger, or micronutrient deficiencies, which can have major health consequences like impaired cognitive development and increased susceptibility to diseases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is a major cause of child mortality, contributing to roughly 50% of deaths in children under five. Children who are malnourished have higher rates of morbidity and mortality because they are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Adult survivors of malnutrition are more likely to develop chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Indicating a dual burden of malnutrition, obesity prevalence is also increasing in the Global South. Malnutrition has a substantial financial impact; estimates indicate that it can result in losses equal to two to three percent of a nation's GDP because of decreased productivity, medical expenses, and lost potential.
Many communities in the Global South are vulnerable to shocks, and they lack the resilience to deal with economic or environmental disruptions. Furthermore, social inequality is significant because marginalized groups, including women and children, are at the highest risk of hunger and malnutrition. Discrimination and limited access to resources make it difficult for them to get enough food and nutrition. International attention must be given immediately to the concerning levels of hunger, poverty, and malnutrition that are currently occurring in the Global South. As the consequences of conflict, economic instability, and climate change continue to worsen, sustainable solutions are crucial to guaranteeing food security and enhancing health outcomes for millions of people. Cooperation, particularly within the BRICS framework, can lead to a healthier and more equitable future by significantly boosting agricultural productivity, advancing nutritional education, and enhancing food access.
BRICS’s Potential for Food Security
The food production and supply potential of the BRICS countries—China, India, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa, have been emerging substantially. With the addition of five more countries, the BRICS nations—which are both major developing nations and emerging markets—now produce around 40% of the world's grain. The 2021–2024 Action Plan's primary goals are to: accelerate agricultural development to improve nutrition and food security; improve the use of water resources in agriculture; increase trade in safe and high-quality agro-products; promote sustainable agriculture, with a focus on small and family farmers; and share agricultural best practices and information through BRICS platforms.
The BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation has identified key areas for collaboration within the food sector and delineated precise methods for their implementation. On 16–17 April 2024, Russia convened the inaugural meeting of the BRICS Working Group on Agriculture through videoconference. During this session, the member countries were introduced to the key priorities of the BRICS chairmanship in the agricultural domain: securing food security, enhancing mutual trade, and promoting sustainable agricultural production. Vasily Osmakov, the First Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, stated that Russia stands prepared to serve as the guarantor of the technological foundation for food security. He emphasized the importance of enhancing the BRICS partnership and implementing social technologies to address food security. Brazil, a vital supplier of fertilizers, significantly contributes to food security, with nations working in harmony within a unified agricultural production chain.
In 2023, Russian farmers are projected to acquire 80% more fertilizers compared to five years prior and 2.5 times the amount used in 2013, reflecting a consistent rise in crop yields. In 2023, agricultural export revenues surpassed US$45 billion for the first time, marking a remarkable achievement. Over the past five years, these exports have nearly doubled. Over the past years, Russia has ramped up its exports of mineral fertilizers to the Global South by 25%, rising from 23.5 million tonnes in 2022 to 29.1 million tonnes in 2023. Approximately 1.2 billion individuals in the Global South rely on food cultivated with Russian fertilizers, representing 22% of all fertility nutrients utilized by local farmers.
Hala Helmy El-Said, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, highlighted the government's efforts to expand agricultural land and enhance crop yields, aiming to ensure food security for over 100 million citizens in the country. Mikhail Khachaturyan, an Associate Professor at the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, emphasized that key initiatives in BRICS agriculture and food security include programs aimed at sharing farmers' experiences in executing agricultural projects under challenging conditions, as well as investment projects focused on land reclamation, seed production, crop cultivation, livestock breeding, and the establishment of water treatment systems.
In June 2024, Moscow served as the venue for the 14th Meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers, presided over by the Russian Minister of Agriculture. The meeting addressed the advancement of sustainable agriculture, the creation of the BRICS grain exchange, and various other pertinent matters. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture is prepared to collaborate with BRICS members on exploring the potential for settlements in national currencies, as well as the establishment and advancement of a BRICS grain exchange.
Agricultural Cooperation Among BRICS Countries
With the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," the 14th The BRICS Ministers of Agriculture convened in Moscow on June 28, 2024. The meeting not only emphasized the integration of new member nations into the established interaction mechanisms but also celebrated their accession to BRICS on January 1, 2024. The ministers acknowledged the significant role that BRICS countries, which represent over 45% of the global population and more than 30% of agricultural land, play in safeguarding global food security. To tackle ongoing challenges related to food security and nutrition, they highlighted the importance of creating fair and sustainable food systems, particularly for at-risk populations such as women, children, and smallholder farmers.
The Agriculture Ministers of BRICS recognized the impact of natural disasters, climate change, inequality, and international conflicts while addressing the vital challenges surrounding food security. They called for the cessation of trade restrictions and unilateral coercive measures that could exacerbate these issues. They emphasized their commitment to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the realms of eradicating hunger and improving nutrition through innovative agricultural practices.
Ministers agreed that a fair, transparent, and rules-based trading system, underpinned by the World Trade Organization, was crucial, with enhancing agricultural trade identified as a key priority. To ensure a consistent supply of food and essential inputs, they highlighted the importance of minimizing trade disruptions, particularly in agriculture and fertilizers. The BRICS Agricultural Research Platform has seen the member countries commit to enhancing research initiatives, utilizing technology to boost production, and developing as well as sharing sustainable agricultural practices. To safeguard natural resources, enhance soil health, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, there was a pronounced focus on sustainable agricultural practices.
The ministers urged greater collaboration in advancing indigenous agricultural systems, acknowledging the importance of traditional farming methods. They recognized the accomplishments of the Agricultural Cooperation Working Group and emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation in enhancing developing nations' capacity to produce food. In order to strengthen BRICS' approach to food security, the meeting ended with plans to create a new Action Plan for Agricultural Cooperation for 2025–2029. The ministers added their support for Brazil, which will host the next meeting in 2025, and thanked the Russian Federation for hosting the event.
Conclusion
In conclusion, immediate and cooperative action is required to address the interconnected problems of hunger, poverty, and malnutrition in the Global South. The magnitude of these problems, which impact over 3.2 billion people, calls for sustainable solutions that go beyond conventional methods. Food security and health outcomes in the region can be greatly improved by the special agricultural cooperation platform provided by the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS nations can promote sustainable practices, increase productivity, and provide fair access to wholesome food by utilizing their combined agricultural capabilities, which make up a significant amount of the world's grain production. Their efforts, like the creation of the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform and the BRICS Strategy on Food Security Cooperation, demonstrate a dedication to tackling food security issues while fostering resilience among marginalized groups, especially women and smallholder farmers.
It is impossible to exaggerate how urgently equitable food systems are needed, since malnutrition continues to be a major cause of adult chronic illnesses and child mortality. In order to ensure that hunger and poverty are not only lessened but completely eradicated in the future, the BRICS framework's emphasis on sustainable agricultural methods and South-South collaboration is essential.
The potential of the BRICS countries to revolutionize agricultural methods and enhance food security could be a cure-all for the Global South as long as they continue to create cooperative plans and projects. The BRICS nations can set the path for a more equitable and healthy future by continuing their dedication and collaboration, guaranteeing that everyone has access to enough food that is safe and nourishing.
The collaboration in agriculture among BRICS nations emerges as a formidable answer to the pressing food security issues faced by the Global South. Through the integration of resources, technology, and expertise, the BRICS nations have the potential to propel sustainable agricultural practices, alleviate hunger, and enhance community well-being—demonstrating that united initiatives within BRICS could serve as a solution to food insecurity.