ICAR Launches Maitri 2.0 to Boost Bilateral Collaboration in Agritech with Brazil

22 September 2025, New Delhi

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) in New Delhi today. The event was attended by Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), and H.E. Mr. Kenneth Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil to India, along with senior officials and representatives from leading Brazilian research and innovation institutions.

Dr. Jat highlighted the 77-year-long partnership between India and Brazil, emphasizing their shared engagement on global platforms such as BRICS and the G20. He described the recent ICAR–EMBRAPA MoU as a milestone for advancing collaboration across the agri-food value chain. Recalling the historical agricultural linkages between the two nations, he underlined the power of complementarities and the importance of innovation-led growth. Dr. Jat also accentuated ICAR’s transformation from securing just 74 patents in 1996 to filing over 1,800 annually, supported by incubation centers and more than 5,000 licensing agreements. He stressed that commercialization should be viewed as delivering public-funded innovations to farmers and end-users rather than as a revenue-driven exercise.

Calling Maitri 2.0 a two-way learning platform, Dr. Jat reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to fostering co-creation between Indian and Brazilian innovators and building an inclusive, innovation-driven agri-food ecosystem to enhance global food security.

Mr Nobrega commended ICAR’s initiative, stressing the strategic importance of synergy between the agritech ecosystems of India and Brazil. He stated that Maitri 2.0 reflects the broader Brazil–India strategic partnership, aligned with the vision of both nations’ leadership to advance cooperation in agriculture, emerging technologies, and food and nutritional security.

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director & Vice-Chancellor, ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, highlighted the institute’s support to more than 400 agri-startups, nurturing innovations into scalable business models. “Agriculture must be seen as both a livelihood and a business,” he observed.

Welcoming the Brazilian delegation, Dr. Neeru Bhushan, Assistant Director General (IPTM), contextualized the programme by underscoring shared challenges such as climate change, food security, and the need for sustainable intensification. 
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Vishwanathan Srinivasan, Joint Director, ICAR–IARI, who acknowledged the collaborative efforts of ICAR and the Embassy of Brazil in strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Bringing together startups, innovators, and institutions from both countries, Maitri 2.0 seeks to strengthen incubator linkages, promote co-incubation, exchange best practices, and create new opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and value-chain development paving the way for resilient and inclusive food systems.

(Source: International Relations Division, ICAR)