APEDA launched ‘Bharati Initiative’ to support 100 agri-food startups

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched a new initiative, Bharati, to support 100 agri-food startups, promote innovation, and increase exports to 50 billion dollars by 2030.

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched its new initiative, Bharati, to promote India’s agri-food exports. Bharati stands for Incubation Centre for India’s Agri-technology, Resilience, Advancement and Export Capability.
• Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal chaired the meeting in New Delhi along with Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan and UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
• Bharati is designed to support 100 agri-food startups, promote innovation, and increase exports to 50 billion dollars by 2030.
• In line with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India, APEDA aims to accelerate exports, foster innovation, and strengthen India’s position in the global agri-food trade.
• This initiative will attract and support startups in collaboration with state agricultural boards, agricultural universities, leading institutions such as IITs and NITs, and industry bodies.
• It also includes the application and selection process, starting September 2025 through the APEDA website, to shortlist 100 startups for the export capability program.

Key features

• Startups working on advanced technologies such as AI-based quality control, blockchain traceability, IoT-enabled cold chain, and agri-fintech will be included.
• Bharati will target high-value agri-food categories such as GI-tagged products, organic foods, superfoods, innovative processed agri-foods, livestock products, and AYUSH products.
• This initiative will also encourage innovative solutions related to packaging, sustainability, and seafood protocols. Startups will undergo a three-month acceleration program focused on product development, export readiness, regulatory compliance, and market access.
• APEDA was established under the APEDA Act, 1985, and is entrusted with the responsibility of export promotion and development of products such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, meat and meat products, floriculture products, etc.