APEDA Launches BHARATI Initiative to Boost Agri-Food Exports and Support Startups.
National
In September 2025, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), launched the 'BHARATI' initiative to strengthen India’s agri-food export ecosystem and nurture agri-tech innovation.
- The initiative, titled Bharat's Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement (BHARATI), was unveiled during the Food & Beverages Sector Stakeholders Meeting in New Delhi.
- The meeting was chaired by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), who emphasized the need for technology-driven innovation to position India as a global leader in agricultural exports.
- BHARATI has been designed to support 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups, encouraging innovation in farming practices, food processing, and value-added agricultural products. These startups will receive incubation, mentoring, and financial guidance to enhance India’s competitiveness in the international market.
Main Point :- (i) The initiative aligns with APEDA’s long-term export strategy, which aims to achieve USD 50 billion worth of agri-food exports by 2030 for its scheduled products. The program particularly focuses on building resilient supply chains to withstand global market fluctuations and promote sustainability in agriculture.
(ii) BHARATI will prioritize high-value segments such as Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products, organic foods, superfoods, novel processed agri-foods, livestock-based products, and AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy) products. This will diversify India’s export basket while enhancing global recognition of indigenous products.
(iii) The first pilot cohort of the initiative, launched in September 2025, will provide incubation support to startups engaged in high-value agri-food production and technology-driven services. By doing so, APEDA aims to create a strong platform for young entrepreneurs, strengthen India’s export ecosystem, and drive innovation in the agriculture sector.
About Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Chairman : Abhishek Dev
Headquarters: New Delhi
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