BRICS countries are set to deepen cooperation in digital agriculture by connecting Artificial Intelligence, geospatial technology and Digital Public Infrastructure to the practical needs of farmers.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi disclosed this on Sunday while delivering opening remarks at the 18th BRICS Summit session on “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth” in New Delhi.
Modi said the BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture would create new opportunities for farmers across member and partner countries. “The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will create new opportunities for farmers,” he said.
He said the initiative would connect emerging technologies, including AI and geospatial technology, with the real needs of farmers.
According to him, the initiative is part of efforts to ensure that technological innovation translates into practical solutions that could improve livelihoods and strengthen agricultural resilience.
Modi said BRICS is also advancing cooperation on innovation through initiatives such as the bloc’s Incubator Network and the proposed Startup Innovation Fund to support innovative and scalable solutions.
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He, however, warned that the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress, stressing the need for inclusivity in technology adoption.
Modi also noted that his country’s BRICS Chairship had sought to broaden cooperation beyond governments by involving entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, young people and ordinary citizens.
He said solutions developed within BRICS should not remain confined to the grouping but should be adaptable and accessible to the wider Global South.
Modi said the growing confidence of developing countries in BRICS was linked to their voices being heard, their experiences respected and solutions developed together with them.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative comes as BRICS holds the second day of its 18th Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, bringing together member states and partner countries to discuss “Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.”
Nigeria is participating in the session as a BRICS Partner Country, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The partner country engagement provides an expanded platform for countries outside the core membership to participate in discussions on economic cooperation, development, technology, trade, resilience and sustainable growth.
Nigeria’s participation is relevant to discussions on digital agriculture, innovation and technology, as BRICS seeks to extend practical solutions developed within the grouping to the wider Global South.
NAN
