APEDA Launches BHARATI Initiative to Empower Agri-Tech Startups and Boost India’s Agri-Food Exports
03 September 2025, New Delhi: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched its new initiative BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement) on the sidelines of the Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting. The event was chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, alongside H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan.
The initiative is designed to empower 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups, accelerate innovation, and create new export opportunities for young entrepreneurs. BHARATI forms part of APEDA’s broader vision to achieve $50 billion in agri-food exports for its Scheduled Products by 2030, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s agricultural and processed food exports.
Starting September 2025, the inaugural pilot cohort will include startups from high-value agri-food production, technology-driven services, and innovation-led ventures. The programme will focus on high-value categories such as GI-tagged agri-products, organic foods, superfoods, processed Indian foods, livestock products, and AYUSH-based food items. It will also target startups working with advanced technologies including AI-driven quality control, blockchain traceability, IoT-based cold chains, and agri-fintech solutions.
BHARATI is designed to address key export challenges—from product development, value addition, and quality assurance to issues of perishability, wastage, and logistics. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, the initiative aims to connect innovators, solution providers, and SPS-TBT-focused startups to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions that enhance India’s global competitiveness.
Aligned with the Government of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India, and Start-Up India, BHARATI will support globally competitive agri-products, promote backward integration for food innovation, and expand demand for Indian food and beverages worldwide. APEDA will also launch a nationwide awareness campaign to attract startups, with applications for the first cohort opening on the APEDA website in September 2025.
The three-month acceleration programme will focus on export readiness, regulatory compliance, market access, and product development. To strengthen the ecosystem, APEDA plans to collaborate with state agricultural boards, agricultural universities, premier institutions such as IITs and NITs, industry associations, and existing accelerators.
The pilot cohort will serve as a model for an annual incubation programme, ensuring continuous innovation and long-term growth of Indian agri-food exports. With BHARATI, APEDA has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting agricultural and processed food products in global markets while harnessing the power of youth and entrepreneurship to strengthen India’s position in international agri-food trade.
Also Read: Maize Breeding Through Biotechnology Can Boost Yields by 10-15% in India, Says IIMR
📢 If You’re in Agriculture, Make Sure the Right People Hear Your Story.
From product launches to strategic announcements, Global Agriculture offers unmatched visibility across international agri-business markets. Connect with us at pr@global-agriculture.com to explore editorial and advertising opportunities that reach the right audience, worldwide.
