The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has entered into three new corporate partnerships to channel corporate social responsibility funding into agriculture and rural development. Agrinnovate India Ltd., the commercialization and fund-raising arm of ICAR, facilitated the signing of memoranda of understanding with three companies at its 15th Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi on 24 September 2026.
The three industry partners are Pidilite Industries Ltd., Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., and Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd. These partnerships are designed to combine ICAR’s agricultural research expertise with corporate funding to address challenges in farming, food systems and rural livelihoods.
Key facts
- Three Memoranda of Understanding signed between ICAR and industry partners on 24 September 2026
- Companies involved: Pidilite Industries Ltd., Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., and Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd.
- Dr M. L. Jat, Director General of ICAR, chaired the 15th Annual General Meeting and 71st Board Meeting
- Shri Gyanendra Tripathi serves as Secretary, ICAR and Vice-Chairman of Agrinnovate India Ltd.
- Dr Praveen Malik is the Chief Executive Officer of Agrinnovate India Ltd.
What is Agrinnovate India Ltd.?
Agrinnovate India Ltd. functions as ICAR’s dedicated arm for business innovation, technology commercialization and mobilizing corporate social responsibility funds. It acts as a bridge between agricultural research conducted by ICAR and practical implementation through private sector partnerships and investment.
Focus areas of the partnerships
The three new partnerships cover multiple dimensions of agricultural development. These include building sustainable agri-food systems that balance productivity with environmental health, and developing agricultural practices that can withstand climate variability and extreme weather events. The collaborations also emphasize managing natural resources such as soil, water and forests more effectively.
Livelihood improvement and technology transfer to farmers form another pillar. The partnerships aim to equip rural communities with modern farming techniques, tools and knowledge. Empowerment of women and youth in agricultural activities is also prioritized, recognizing their crucial role in rural economies.
The partnerships will support agri-startups and rural entrepreneurship through business incubation. They include initiatives for digital innovation in farming, capacity building for farmers and agricultural professionals, and nutrition-focused agriculture that improves food quality and health outcomes. Food processing, value-chain development and farm mechanization are additional focus areas. The collaborations also cover education and knowledge-sharing programs, and One Health initiatives that address the links between human, animal and environmental health.
How CSR funding will be used
Corporate social responsibility funds from these three companies will be channeled into public-benefit agricultural initiatives. Rather than companies undertaking CSR activities independently, this structure allows them to work through ICAR’s established research infrastructure, scientific expertise and field networks. This approach aims to make CSR interventions more evidence-based and scalable.
The partnerships are open to expansion into other mutually agreed areas beyond the listed priorities, allowing flexibility as needs and opportunities evolve.
What this means for farmers and rural communities
These partnerships can translate into direct benefits for farming communities. Farmers may gain access to improved agricultural technologies, training and market linkages through joint initiatives. Young people and women in rural areas may find new business opportunities through agri-startup support. Climate-resilient farming practices could help reduce risks from unpredictable weather. Better food processing and value-chain infrastructure could increase farm incomes by allowing farmers to capture greater profit margins.
Students pursuing agricultural studies may benefit from enhanced education and knowledge partnership programs. Rural entrepreneurs can access business incubation support to develop agribusiness ventures.
Why this matters
India’s agricultural sector faces interconnected challenges including low farmer incomes, climate uncertainty, limited technology adoption and inadequate rural infrastructure. Public investment alone cannot address all these gaps. By systematizing CSR contributions through ICAR’s expertise, these partnerships attempt to mobilize additional resources for agriculture while ensuring that corporate funding supports evidence-based, large-scale development initiatives rather than isolated projects.