BRIC sign agreement on global food security

The BRIC experts group would also take comprehensive adaptive measures to mitigate the negative impact of climate change on food security and adaptation of agriculture to such changes.

In this context they have urged the developed countries to offer technical and financial assistance on climate change to the developing countries,while developing countries should actively take all measures to promote sustainable growth and make their due contribution to counter climate change.

The experts group will prepare specific proposals and report to BRIC farm ministers at their next meeting in 2011.

Addressing a joint press conference,Indian agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said,“BRIC cooperation in the field of agriculture holds considerable potential as it directly impacts nearly 40 per cent of the global population living in them as well as indirectly much more.” This was the first-ever meeting of the agriculture ministers of the four fastest emerging economies that ended here today.

Pawar empahsised the lack of access to affordable food is the root cause of the ongoing civil wars in at least 13-14 countries and the interaction of BRIC would help to resolve the issue of food security on a global scale. He also underscored the need for the speedy completion of the Doha Round on the basis of fairness and non-discrimination.

Their joint declaration said ensuring food security requires a well-functioning world market and trading system for food and agriculture based on the principles of fairness and non-discrimination. “In this regard,it is of paramount importance to accelerate the Doha Round of talks,” the joint declaration added.

Chinese farm minister Han Changfu said BRIC nations are already ensuring the stability and food security through their individual efforts. “The world’s most populous nations – China and India– are feeding themselves and this itself is a great contribution to the global food security,” Han pointed out.

Russian farm ministers Elena Skrynnik and Brazilian Guilherme Cassel said their governments are drafting policies and guidelines,which could open access to foreign investments in their agriculture. Russia and Brazil have the world’s largest arable land masses.