WANDILE SIHLOBO | Brics need to deliver beyond the summits

The South African agriculture and agribusiness sector’s view on Brics participation has generally focused on how this can expand export opportunities.

Other matters that agribusiness groups in Brics countries typically raise — such as climate-smart agriculture, advances in seed breeding and deeper fertiliser trade — are also important and broadly beneficial to South Africa.

But so far, many of these issues have largely been discussed from a “knowledge-sharing” perspective, without a clear avenue to ensure technical knowledge transfer to countries with lower agricultural productivity.

As China assumes the chair of Brics next year, it will likely continue the focus on these productivity issues in agriculture. But the encouraging part for South Africa’s agricultural and agribusiness sectors is that China has already indicated it will also focus on trade-related matters. A Brics global chair that champions trade will be valuable ahead of South Africa’s time to chair the group once more in 2028. But the approach going into next year may need a review.

Agribusinesses and the agricultural sector typically participate in the Brics group through the country chapters of the Brics business council. The council is not a policy body but a recognised forum for dialogue among the business communities of the various countries. Before the annual summit, the chairing country formulates a report — supported by other member countries — which is then tabled at the leaders’ summit for consideration.

While this process ensures that Brics political leaders are aware of the business council’s work, it remains unclear how much impact the council has had on key policies and programmes within the grouping. Thus, it may be critical that each chapter of the council not only tables its ideas through formal channels ahead of the summit, but also engages with its domestic government throughout the year on its agenda and its vision for Brics.

The summits can’t only end up as spectacular events for the day without tangible benefits for the various business communities

This would strengthen alignment as the various working groups that focus on different aspects meet regularly, discuss the work programme from the start and refine ideas throughout the year — closing points of divergence and building common purpose and support for the agenda.

Work that reflects the priorities of business communities in all member countries should ideally receive more political support and — over time — lead to material gains for businesses and communities across Brics countries.

The summits can’t only end up as spectacular events for the day without tangible benefits for the various business communities. If this continues, doubts about Brics’s effectiveness will grow. This is even more urgent today as the world faces geo-economic tensions, and the Brics group itself faces pressure from outside countries that view it as a competitor.

Instead of an illusory view of what happens in Brics, material progress that strengthens countries’ economic ties would be much more beneficial. In the case of China, it has already shown leadership on trade matters. At a time when various countries are lifting tariffs and closing their markets, China has embraced open markets. For the African continent, the China-Africa economic partnership agreement for shared development is one such material step, as it lowered tariffs on various goods from African countries to zero.

What remains now for some agricultural products is ensuring that China also addresses phytosanitary barriers so this agreement can deliver material economic benefits and truly live up to its objective of enhancing development and prosperity in Africa and China. The steps that China has already taken in managing its affairs with the African continent are the same approach that must be marshalled within Brics.

If China pursues trade matters deliberately, then when South Africa assumes the chair in 2028, it will build on already fertile ground. The business communities of all member countries would also benefit from this approach. Brics has potential, but action beyond major speeches is essential to the group’s economic advancement.

• Sihlobo is South Africa’s presidential envoy on agriculture and land. He is also chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, and a senior research fellow in the department of agricultural economics at Stellenbosch University.