New Delhi: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) officially launched its flagship initiative, BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement), aimed at empowering agri-food startups and accelerating India’s agricultural export ambitions. The launch took place during the “Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting” chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, in the presence of UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan.
BHARATI: Empowering Startups and Driving Innovation in Agri-Food Sector
BHARATI is designed to empower 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups in its pilot cohort starting September 2025. These startups will focus on harnessing advanced technologies and innovation to create export-ready products, strengthen supply chains, and overcome export challenges such as perishability, logistics, and quality assurance.
The initiative aligns with APEDA’s ambitious vision to achieve $50 billion in agri-food exports by 2030, particularly targeting Scheduled Products including GI-tagged agri-products, organic foods, superfoods, AYUSH products, and livestock items.
Focus on Cutting-Edge Technologies and Export Enablement
BHARATI will promote the use of emerging technologies such as:
- AI-based quality control systems
- Blockchain-enabled traceability solutions
- IoT-enabled cold chains
- Agri-fintech innovations
- Innovative packaging and sustainable practices
The programme aims to provide startups with access to a collaborative ecosystem involving tech innovators, solution providers, and export experts. This will enable startups to address critical export-related issues such as product development, value addition, regulatory compliance, and perishability.
Supporting Government Vision and Strategic Partnerships
The BHARATI initiative strongly supports the Government of India’s campaigns such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India, and Start-Up India. Through this initiative, APEDA aims to build globally competitive agri-food products and expand India’s footprint in international markets.
To ensure wide reach and effective execution, APEDA will collaborate with state agricultural boards, agricultural universities, premier institutions including IITs and NITs, industry bodies, and existing startup accelerators to attract and nurture promising startups across the country.
Pilot Programme and Future Prospects
Selected startups will participate in a rigorous three-month acceleration programme focusing on:
- Product development
- Export readiness
- Regulatory and compliance training
- Market access strategies
- Collaborative problem-solving
The pilot cohort will serve as a scalable model for annual incubation cycles, fostering continuous innovation and long-term export growth for India’s agri-food sector.
Strengthening India’s Position in Global Agri-Food Trade
With the BHARATI initiative, APEDA reiterates its commitment to developing and promoting agricultural and processed food exports by leveraging the power of youth entrepreneurship and cutting-edge technology. The programme is expected to significantly enhance India’s global competitiveness and contribute substantially to the country’s economic growth.
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