By Qudsia Bano

The new agricultural cooperation agenda adopted by BRICS countries has created fresh opportunities for Pakistan to strengthen its farm sector through technology transfer, climate-smart agriculture, expanded exports and closer integration with emerging Global South agricultural value chains, experts say.

The new framework closely aligns with Pakistan's efforts to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and enhance export competitiveness as the country is seeking to modernize one of its most important economic sectors.

In April 2025, agriculture ministers from BRICS member countries adopted a Joint Declaration and agreed to finalize the BRICS Action Plan 2025-2028 for Agricultural Cooperation. The framework focuses on food security, sustainable agriculture, agricultural innovation, family farming, climate resilience, agricultural financing, land restoration and facilitating agricultural trade among member countries.

The Action Plan also prioritises cooperation in aquatic food systems, low-carbon farming, restoration of degraded land, bio-inputs, bioenergy and digital agriculture, creating new avenues for developing countries to exchange technologies, research and policy experience.

For Pakistan, these priorities are particularly relevant. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, agriculture contributes about 23% to the country's gross domestic product, employs around 37% of the labour force and remains the principal source of livelihood for much of the rural population.

The expanded BRICS also represents an increasingly attractive export market. Home to nearly half of the world's population and a significant share of global agricultural production and consumption, the grouping offers growing opportunities for Pakistani exports of rice, fruits, vegetables, meat products and other value-added food items.

Experts believe the BRICS agricultural agenda presents Pakistan with an opportunity to strengthen both agricultural productivity and export competitiveness. They say that by combining technology transfer, sustainable farming practices, stronger quality standards and deeper engagement with BRICS markets, Pakistan can enhance food security, diversify agricultural exports and build a more resilient farm sector.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Muhammad Ahmad, Manager of Business Development at Guard Agricultural Research and Services, said Pakistan should view the BRICS agricultural agenda as a platform for long-term technological collaboration rather than merely an export opportunity.

He said the framework encourages cooperation in agricultural technology, climate-smart farming and sustainable production systems, all of which are becoming increasingly important as farmers confront changing climatic conditions.

According to Ahmad, Pakistan's seed industry, precision agriculture initiatives and digital extension services could benefit substantially from stronger technical partnerships with BRICS economies that have already made considerable progress in these areas.

He also noted that land restoration and bio-inputs have emerged as major priorities under the new BRICS agenda. For Pakistan, where soil degradation and water scarcity continue to constrain agricultural productivity, cooperation in these fields could improve soil health, reduce excessive reliance on chemical inputs and strengthen sustainable farming practices while enhancing export quality.

Ahmad added that closer collaboration among research institutions, private seed companies and agricultural technology providers across BRICS countries could accelerate technology transfer and help Pakistani farmers adopt modern, cost-effective farming solutions more rapidly.

Rana Muhammad Tariq, Deputy General Manager at Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, told Wealth Pakistan that the BRICS agricultural framework also provides Pakistan with an opportunity to diversify agricultural exports beyond traditional destinations.

He observed that many BRICS economies are major importers of food and agricultural commodities. Expanding engagement with these markets would encourage Pakistani producers to improve quality certification, traceability and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards, making exports more competitive internationally.

Tariq said Pakistan's fertiliser, agricultural input and farm services industries could also benefit from greater technical cooperation. Joint research on nutrient-use efficiency, water conservation technologies and climate-resilient crop production could help increase productivity while reducing production costs for farmers.

He added that stronger public-private collaboration would be essential to translate international cooperation into practical gains through improved extension services, modern irrigation systems and wider adoption of digital agriculture technologies.

Credit: INP-WealthPk