The collaboration will cover the promotion of science education, advancing digital solutions and agri-tech

NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), has joined hands with Bayer to work towards innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives across the country, particularly in healthcare and agriculture.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare and nutrition.

A Statement of Intent (SoI) of a strategic partnership between AIM and Bayer was signed and exchanged today to formalize the collaboration.

According to an official statement, the SoI will cover the promotion of science education, advancing digital solutions and agri-tech to strengthen supply chains as well as healthcare projects.

Additionally, Bayer will collaborate with AIM to support their current and future programs and foster innovation & entrepreneurship across the agriculture and healthcare sectors, the NITI Aayog said.

A flagship program of AIM, ‘Atal Tinkering Labs’ (ATL) has played a pivotal role in fostering creativity and imagination amongst school children.

Keeping this in mind, Bayer will explore opportunities to mentor school children, inculcate design thinking, problem solving and adaptive learning skills amongst them and support and adopt mutually agreed schools.

NITI Aayog added that Bayer shall mentor young innovators and startups and collaborate with them to further the cause of innovation. Bayer would also explore association with the techno-preneurs from the ANIC and ARISE programs in the area of digital solutions both in agriculture and healthcare sectors, the statement said.

"The partnership will be holistic in nature spurring and supporting knowledge and innovation at school, university and Startups leveraging Bayer’s domain expertise, global reach and facilities," said
Mission Director AIM, NITI Aayog, R Ramanan.

"Through this collaboration, we endeavor to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India across the sectors of agriculture and healthcare," said Vice Chairman & Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer – Bayer CropScience Limited, D. Narain.