APEDA Launches BHARATI to Boost India’s Agri-Food Exports and Startups
APEDA’s BHARATI initiative seeks to empower 100 agri-food startups, foster innovation, and drive India’s agri exports to $50 billion by 2030 through tech, resilience, and sustainability.
India Eyes Innovation in Agri-Exports
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched the BHARATI initiative, designed to support 100 promising agri-food and agri-tech startups and elevate India’s exports to $50 billion by 2030.
Programme Scope and Startup Opportunity
BHARATI—Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement—targets new startups in high-value, processed, organic or GI-tagged foods, superfoods, livestock, and AYUSH products. The first pilot cohort to start in September will provide coaching, networking, market access and funding, focusing on product development, packaging, traceability, and sustainability.
Technology, Innovation and Export Push
The initiative champions AI-based quality control, blockchain-enabled traceability, IoT cold chains, and agri-fintech, aiming to resolve chronic problems of perishability, wastage, and logistics. BHARATI includes a nationwide campaign to draw in solution-driven entrepreneurs from all states.
National Policy Context
Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India, the scheme underpins India’s vision to become a global leader in agri-food exports, leveraging technology, digital infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit.
Conclusion
With strong government backing, BHARATI is set to catalyse Indian agri-food innovation, reduce export hurdles, promote resilience across supply chains, and transform export potential for the sector’s next generation of startups.
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