The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched the second edition of the Brazil-India Cross Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) in New Delhi.
Under this initiative, both countries will work together to promote agricultural technologies and support agri based startups. Maitri 2.0 will mark a new phase in smart farming, sustainable production, and international collaboration in agriculture. This collaboration between Brazil and India is aimed at boosting cross-border innovation to modernize farming, enhance the use of new machinery and technology, and increase farmers income.
The event was attended by Dr ML Jat (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.
Maitri 2.0 Paving Future of Agritech Innovation
Dr ML Jat made note of 77 years of partnership between India and Brazil, highlighting collaboration at global stage through BRICS and the G20. He praised the recent ICAR-Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) MoU as an important milestone for fostering deeper collaboration across the agri food value chain and recalled the historical agricultural ties between the two nations emphasizing the value of complementarities and innovation driven growth. He stated role of incubation centers and more than 5,000 licensing agreements were instrumental in ICAR’s transformation from securing 74 patents in 1996 to over 1,800 annually today.
He further added that commercialization should focus on delivering publicly funded innovations to end-users rather than solely generating revenue. The Director General of ICAR called Maitri 2.0 a two-way learning platform for co-creation between Indian and Brazilian innovators, reaffirming a joint commitment to build a more innovative, inclusive agri food ecosystem that will strengthen global food security.
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H.E. Mr. Kenneth Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil expressed deep admiration for ICAR’s new initiative and underscored the strategic significance of fostering synergies between the agritech ecosystems of India and Brazil. He highlighted that the Maitri 2.0 is a reflection of the broader strategic partnership between Brazil and India, aligning the shared vision of leaders for collaboration in agriculture, emerging technologies, and food and nutritional security.
Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR–IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) stated that the organisation has helped 400+ agri startups, nurturing their ideas into innovations and business models. He noted that agriculture must be seen as both a livelihood and a business. In the opening remarks of the event, Dr Neeru Bhushan, Assistant Director General, IPTM (Intellectual Property & Technology Management) underlined the shared challenges of climate change, food security, and the need for sustainable intensification. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Vishwanathan Srinivasan, Joint Director at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) acknowledging the efforts of ICAR and the Embassy of Brazil in deepening bilateral cooperation.
Building on Experience, Shaping Future
The event brought together innovators, startups, and institutions from India and Brazil to promote resilient food systems and strengthen farmer empowerment. Maitri 2.0 is directed towards enhancing incubator linkages, exchanging best practices, and unlocking new opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and value chain development.
The programme builds on the foundation of the Maitri Indo-Brazil Agri-Tech Cross Border Incubation Program, launched in 2019. It was designed to help Brazilian stakeholders understand the Indian agricultural ecosystem, including corporates, investors, and organizations, as well as regulatory and trade aspects of the sector. The program involved various stakeholders, including the Department of Science & Technology (DST), the Brazilian Embassy, and Anprotec, a Brazilian association of innovative enterprises. The Brazilian startups received an intensive program that included workshops, mentoring, and visits to farms and research facilities in New Delhi and Hyderabad.
Maitri 2.0 reflects a strategic effort to deepen bilateral cooperation in agricultural innovation, aiming to address global challenges such as food security and climate change resilience through collaborative research and development.
