APEDA Launches BHARATI Initiative to Boost India’s Agri-Food Exports
The initiative was unveiled during the “Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting,” led by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
New Delhi, September 3: In a strategic move to enhance India’s agricultural export footprint, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) announced the launch of its flagship initiative, BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement, and Incubation for Export Enablement). The initiative was unveiled during the “Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting,” led by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. The event was further attended by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan.
BHARATI is designed to empower 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups, fostering innovation and addressing the challenges faced by India’s farm and food processing sectors. With an ambitious goal of achieving $50 billion in exports by 2030 for scheduled products, the initiative aims to position India as a global leader in high-value agricultural goods.
The pilot cohort, set to commence in September 2025, will focus on promoting advanced technologies such as AI-driven quality control, blockchain-based traceability, IoT-enabled cold chain logistics, and agri-fintech solutions. It will also target innovative packaging, sustainable practices, and sea protocol adherence—key factors in expanding India’s export reach.
This initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, emphasizing local manufacturing, digital innovation, and startup culture. By integrating incubation programs across government and industry landscapes, BHARATI seeks to streamline product development, improve quality assurance, reduce wastage, and overcome logistical hurdles for exporters.
The program will run a thorough application and selection process through the APEDA website starting this month, targeting startups across India that demonstrate potential in high-value categories such as GI-tagged organic and superfoods, livestock products, AYUSH formulations, and novel Indian processed foods. Once selected, startups will participate in a three-month acceleration program aimed at preparing them for export markets — covering regulatory compliance, market access strategies, and collaborative solutions.
Collaborations with state agricultural departments, IITs, NITs, industry bodies, and existing accelerators will further bolster the ecosystem, making BHARATI scalable as an annual incubator to sustain long-term export growth.
APEDA envisions BHARATI as a catalyst for innovation-driven growth and international competitiveness, contributing significantly to India’s goal of becoming a major exporter of high-quality agricultural products. With this launch, India takes a definitive step toward leveraging its youth, technology, and agricultural strength to capture a larger share of the global food trade.
