The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has announced the launch of BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement), a new initiative aimed at nurturing agri-tech and agri-food startups to strengthen India’s position in global food trade.
The launch took place on the sidelines of the Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting, chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, along with H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan.
Empowering 100 Agri-Tech Startups
The BHARATI programme will support 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups, focusing on innovation, technology-driven services, and export readiness. It is part of APEDA’s broader vision to achieve $50 billion in agri-food exports by 2030 for its Scheduled Products.
The pilot cohort, starting in September 2025, will feature startups from key sectors such as:
- GI-tagged agri-products
- Organic and superfoods
- Processed Indian foods
- Livestock products
- AYUSH-based food items
The initiative will also promote the use of advanced technologies like AI-driven quality control, blockchain traceability, IoT-based cold chains, and agri-fintech solutions.
Addressing Key Export Challenges
BHARATI is designed to tackle core challenges faced by agri exporters, including:
- Product development & value addition
- Quality assurance & compliance
- Perishability and wastage
- Logistics and supply chain issues
By building a collaborative ecosystem, the programme aims to connect startups, innovators, and SPS-TBT-focused solution providers to create scalable and cost-effective solutions.
Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat & Digital India
Aligned with government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India, and Start-Up India, BHARATI will promote globally competitive agri-products, boost backward integration, and enhance demand for Indian food and beverages worldwide.
APEDA will also roll out a nationwide awareness campaign to attract startups, with applications opening in September 2025 through the APEDA website.
Three-Month Acceleration Programme
The three-month programme will focus on:
- Export readiness
- Regulatory compliance
- Market access
- Product development
To strengthen the ecosystem, APEDA plans to collaborate with state agricultural boards, agricultural universities, premier institutions (IITs, NITs), industry associations, and startup accelerators.
Long-Term Growth Model
The pilot cohort will serve as a foundation for an annual incubation programme, ensuring continuous innovation and long-term growth in Indian agri-food exports.
With BHARATI, APEDA reaffirms its mission to promote Indian agricultural and processed food products in global markets, while empowering youth and entrepreneurs to drive India’s future in international agri-food trade.
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