India’s rural development, food security models worth replicating in South Africa: BRICS WBA executive

India’s agriculture, rural development and food security experience is drawing attention in South Africa amid deeper BRICS cooperation

PGurus Newsdesk

September 11, 2026

Research on BRICS food policies has previously identified India’s use of agricultural mechanisation, crop diversification, skills development and financial mechanisms among approaches that could offer lessons for South Africa

India’s rural development experience gains attention

India’s experience in rural development and food security offers valuable lessons for South Africa, with a BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) executive highlighting the potential to adapt successful Indian approaches to strengthen livelihoods, agriculture and food systems.

The remarks come as India, under its 2026 BRICS presidency, places greater emphasis on inclusive growth, food security, sustainable agriculture and women-led development. The BRICS WBA identifies food security and environmental safety as one of its key areas of cooperation.

India’s rural development experience gains attention

India has built a broad ecosystem around agriculture and rural development, combining government support, technological innovation, financial inclusion, farmer-focused programmes and efforts to improve access to food.

These experiences are increasingly relevant for other developing economies seeking practical ways to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Within BRICS, cooperation on agriculture has included efforts to support smallholder and family farmers, promote agricultural technology and innovation, improve value chains and develop more resilient food systems.

South Africa can adapt successful models

The discussion comes against the backdrop of longstanding interest in using the experience of other BRICS economies to address South Africa’s food-security challenges.

Research on BRICS food policies has previously identified India’s use of agricultural mechanisation, crop diversification, skills development and financial mechanisms among approaches that could offer lessons for South Africa.

The focus is not simply on replicating programmes wholesale, but on adapting successful approaches to South Africa’s own agricultural, economic and social conditions.

Women and small farmers central to food security

Women’s participation is emerging as an important component of the BRICS food-security agenda. The BRICS WBA’s 2026 food-security working group brings together representatives from India, South Africa and other BRICS countries to focus on areas including climate-resilient agriculture, environmental sustainability and equitable rural growth.

The BRICS WBA has also highlighted initiatives involving smallholder farmers and agricultural value chains in South Africa. Its earlier work included efforts to connect smallholder and subsistence farmers with wider markets through produce aggregation and public-private partnerships.

India-South Africa cooperation could deepen

Greater exchange of expertise between India and South Africa could open opportunities in agricultural technology, food processing, rural entrepreneurship, farmer financing and climate-resilient farming.

The broader BRICS agenda also calls for stronger cooperation in agriculture and rural development, including investment in technologies and machinery suited to small-scale and family farmers.

With India holding the BRICS WBA presidency in 2026, the focus on women-led development and food security provides another platform for India and South Africa to exchange ideas and build practical partnerships.

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