India and Brazil are set to significantly bolster their collaboration in the agriculture sector through a new initiative designed to foster technological innovation and facilitate the exchange of best practices. This strategic move was underscored by the launch of the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech, dubbed Maitri 2.0, by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi.

The launch event for Maitri 2.0 was attended by prominent figures, including M L Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), and Kenneth Nobrega, the Ambassador of Brazil to India, alongside various senior officials and representatives from leading Brazilian research and innovation institutions. The ICAR Director General highlighted that Maitri 2.0 is conceived as a reciprocal learning platform, promoting co-creation among innovators from both nations. The program's core objectives are to unite innovators, startups, and institutions from India and Brazil to build robust food systems, empower farmers, strengthen incubator linkages, exchange best practices, encourage co-incubation, and unlock new opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and value-chain development.

During his address, Jat emphasized the enduring 77-year partnership between India and Brazil, noting their shared influence on global forums such as BRICS and G20. He also pointed to the recent ICAR–EMBRAPA pact as a pivotal moment for expanded collaborations across the entire agri-food value chain. Jat illustrated ICAR's remarkable transformation, detailing its growth from holding 74 patents in 1996 to now securing over 1,800 annually, a feat supported by its incubation centers and more than 5,000 licensing agreements.

Ambassador Nobrega reiterated the critical importance of forging synergies between the agritech ecosystems of India and Brazil. He affirmed that the Maitri 2.0 program is a reflection of the broader strategic partnership between the two countries, aligning precisely with the shared vision of their leaders for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, emerging technologies, and food-nutritional security.