🌍 From geopolitical and climate challenges to evolving trade policies, sustainability, and technological change, the @RIS_NewDelhi Special Session at AERA (@AeraIndia) 2026, held on 12 October at Pondicherry University (@PondiUni_Ofcl), brought diverse perspectives on how the Global South can navigate emerging uncertainties in agricultural trade. 🔹 Chair of the session, Dr. Ramesh Chand ( @Ramesh_ChandDr), Former Member, @NITIAayog, 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 to agricultural trade, aligning domestic and international policies, addressing technological uncertainties and rethinking crop diversification to enhance farmers’ incomes while safeguarding food security. 🔹 Dr. P. S. Birthal (@psbirthal), Distinguished Fellow, RIS, emphasised the need to shift towards value-chain-driven agricultural growth through greater resource efficiency, stronger food processing, predictable trade policies and increased investment in agricultural research. 🔹 Mr. 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧, National Rural Affairs and Agriculture Editor, @IndianExpress, highlighted how geopolitical tensions and climate shocks are affecting agriculture through rising input costs, disruptions in fertiliser and agrochemical supplies, and growing competition between food and fuel. 🔹 Dr. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐲, Senior Research Fellow, @IFPRI, emphasised that strengthening agricultural competitiveness requires upgrading supply chains, reducing domestic trade costs and ensuring greater regulatory and trade policy predictability. 🔹Ms. 𝐍𝐢𝐝𝐡𝐢 𝐒𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐯𝐚, Former Counsellor, India's Permanent Mission to the WTO, underscored the importance of safeguarding agricultural policy space, strengthening developing-country coalitions to address emerging challenges in agricultural trade. 🔹 Ms. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐞𝐞, Consultant, RIS, highlighted the challenges of digital adoption costs, data ownership, evolving trade standards and compliance finance, emphasising public digital infrastructure and collective certification to support smallholder participation. @MEAIndia | @AgriGoI | @wto | @Sendhil_Ramadas | @SKSharma_World | @RajanRatna | @Prabir_India | @sujeetsamaddar | @rakeshkhar | @sabya_saha | @pdash76 | @PV_Chat | @AmitK_PhD | @susheco | @GaurPankhuri | @monika_koc56097 | @SarinNS1 | @amitdasvaranasi | @AlishaGosw61821 | @SanketC62363754 | @cmec_ris | @DakshinNews | @AIC_aseanindia | @fitm14 | @fisd19 | @FIDC_NewDelhi #RIS #AERA2026 #AgriculturalTrade #GlobalSouth #TradePolicy