New Delhi, September 25, 2026: Agrinnovate India Ltd. has strengthened industry collaboration in agriculture by facilitating partnerships between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and three industry organisations for supporting public-benefit initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding.
The partnerships were formalised through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Pidilite Industries Ltd., Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd. and Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd. The agreements were signed during the 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 71st Board Meeting of Agrinnovate India Ltd., held in New Delhi on September 24, 2026.
The collaborations are aimed at bringing corporate CSR resources and agricultural research and innovation together to support initiatives benefiting farmers, rural communities and other stakeholders across agriculture and allied sectors.
The event was attended by Dr M. L. Jat, Director General, ICAR and Chairman, Agrinnovate India Ltd.; Shri Gyanendra Tripathi, Secretary, ICAR and Vice-Chairman, Agrinnovate India Ltd.; Shri Sandeep Sarkar, Financial Advisor, ICAR; and Dr Praveen Malik, CEO, Agrinnovate India Ltd. Members of the Agrinnovate India Board of Directors, officials and team members were also present.
Partnerships to Cover Key Agricultural Priorities
The MoUs cover a broad range of areas considered important for strengthening India’s agricultural and rural development ecosystem.
These include sustainable agri-food systems, climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management, as well as livelihood enhancement and technology transfer. The partnerships will also support initiatives focused on women and youth empowerment, agri-startups, incubation and rural entrepreneurship.
Other identified areas include digital innovation and capacity building, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, biofortification, food processing and value-chain development. Farm mechanisation, education and knowledge partnerships, and One Health are also among the areas covered under the collaborations.
The partnerships may also facilitate cooperation in other mutually agreed areas, allowing industry and ICAR institutions to work together on projects aligned with emerging agricultural and societal needs.
Agrinnovate India’s Role
Agrinnovate India Ltd. serves as the agribusiness, innovation, technology-commercialisation and CSR fund-mobilising arm of ICAR. Its role includes connecting agricultural research and technologies with industry and other stakeholders to support their wider application and public benefit.
The latest partnerships reflect an effort to use industry CSR support alongside ICAR’s scientific and institutional capabilities for initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors.
By bringing together research institutions and private-sector partners, the collaborations are expected to create opportunities for technology transfer, capacity building, entrepreneurship and sustainable agricultural development.
The development comes as agricultural innovation increasingly requires cooperation among research institutions, industry, startups and rural communities to address challenges related to climate resilience, resource management, nutrition, mechanisation and livelihoods.
