Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s Brazil visit becomes important on many counts

Brazil, April 20, 2025– Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan has wrapped up a significant visit to Brazil, marking a new chapter in agricultural diplomacy and international cooperation. His trip, centered around participation in the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Brasilia, also laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration between India and Brazil in agricultural trade, technology, and innovation.

At the BRICS summit, Shri Chouhan highlighted the crucial role of small farmers in ensuring global food security. He emphasized that protecting and empowering this group is essential for achieving inclusive, sustainable agriculture worldwide. The minister made a strong pitch for increasing soya production and export in India, viewing it as a step towards economic empowerment of farmers and reducing import dependency.

“We aim to equip our farmers with global technologies, especially in areas like climate-resilient crops, mechanization, and sustainable practices,” Chouhan stated during the conference.

Shri Chouhan’s speech at the BRICS platform focused on agricultural innovation, equitable trade, and cooperation in research and technology transfer. The meeting saw participation from agriculture ministers and senior officials of India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, UAE, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

The theme, “Promoting inclusive and sustainable agriculture through cooperation, innovation and equitable trade,” aligned closely with India’s vision of global food security through collaborative efforts.

Beyond BRICS, the minister held key bilateral meetings with Brazilian counterparts — Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Henrique Baquetta Favero and Minister of Agricultural Development and Family Agriculture Luiz Paulo Teixeira. Discussions revolved around joint efforts in agro-tech, food security, rural development, and seed research.

In Sao Paulo, Chouhan interacted with 27 members of Brazil’s agribusiness community, exploring opportunities in biofuels, food processing, supply chain integration, and production technologies.

India, which currently imports soyabean oil, is now looking to collaborate with Brazil to set up soybean production and processing infrastructure domestically. Shri Chouhan visited several Brazilian farms and facilities to study their best practices in irrigation, mechanization, and food processing. The goal: to replicate and adapt successful models in India.

“Brazil’s rise as a major agri-exporting nation in the past 50 years is inspiring. Our mutual collaboration will help Indian farmers access world-class technology and increase production,” he noted.

Continuing his environmental initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the minister planted a tree at the Indian Embassy in Brasilia. He also connected with the Indian diaspora in Sao Paulo, appreciating their contribution to strengthening India-Brazil relations.

“This is the Amrit Kaal of our independence. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we’re striving to become a developed nation by 2047. The support and contribution of the global Indian community will be key in this journey,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism that insights gained from this visit would be used to enhance productivity, sustainability, and innovation in Indian agriculture. “I return from Brazil enriched with experiences and ideas that will directly benefit our farmers,” he concluded.