The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched its new initiative BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement) during the Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dr. Thani bin Ahmad Al Zewadi, and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan.
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Designed as a transformational step, the initiative will sanction 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups starting September 2025, aiming to encourage India’s agricultural exports to USD 50 billion target by 2030.
Driving Innovation and Export Growth
The BHARATI initiative is envisioned as a catalyst for India’s agri-food ecosystem. It aims to foster startups involved in high-value products, technology-driven services, and innovation across numerous sectors. These involve GI-tagged products, organic foods, superfoods, novel processed Indian agri-foods, cattle products, and AYUSH-based offerings.
In addition to product categories, the initiative is also focused on startups such as AI for quality control, block chains for traceability, IoT-powered cold chains, and agri-fintech solutions. By overcoming critical challenges like packaging, spoilage, wastage, and logistics, BHARATI aims to develop a sustainable and internationally competitive agri-food export system.
Strengthening the Startup Ecosystem
The program will work in collaboration with industry-led and in agriculture and food processing with government incubation efforts. Chosen startups will go through a three-month acceleration program that involves product development, export preparation, regulatory compliance, and market access.
To create a collaborative ecosystem, APEDA will partner with state agricultural boards, universities, IITs, NITs, industrial bodies, and accelerators. This network will assist startups in emerging scalable solutions that boost India’s export potential and support the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India, and Start-Up India.
A Long-Term Vision for Agri-Exports
The pilot cohort will serve as a model for an annual incubation programme, guaranteeing continuous innovation and long-term export development. APEDA is also planning a nationwide awareness campaign to involve stakeholders and attract solution-oriented entrepreneurs from across India.
With BHARATI, APEDA has cemented its commitment to endorse agricultural and processed food exports worldwide. Promoting youth-driven innovation, boosting collaboration and empowering startups, the initiative aims to make India a tough player in growing international agri-food trade for quality Indian products.
The BHARATI initiative marks a transformative step of APEDA, promoting innovation, entitling startups, and aiming to accelerate India’s agri-food exports to USD 50 billion by 2030.
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