What is ‘BHARATI’ and how will it empower 100 agri-food startups to achieve $50 billion exports by 2030?
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Synopsis
Discover ‘BHARATI’, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering 100 agri-food startups, driving innovation, and targeting $50 billion in exports by 2030. This program seeks to revolutionize India’s agricultural landscape and enhance global competitiveness in food exports.
Key Takeaways
- ‘BHARATI’ aims to empower 100 agri-food startups.
- Targeting $50 billion in exports by 2030.
- Collaboration with various stakeholders including universities and industry bodies.
- Focus on innovation in high-value agri-products and advanced technologies.
- Nationwide awareness campaign to attract solution-oriented startups.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) A groundbreaking initiative known as ‘BHARATI’ aims to empower 100 agri-food startups, stimulate innovation, and enhance exports with a goal of reaching $50 billion by 2030, as stated by the Commerce Ministry.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has introduced this initiative, which represents Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement, and Incubation for Export Enablement.
This program is specifically designed to assist agri-food and agri-tech startups, expedite their growth, foster innovation, and generate new export avenues for burgeoning entrepreneurs, thereby reinforcing India’s agricultural and processed food export sectors.
Commencing in September, the first pilot cohort will support 100 startups, including premium agri-food producers, tech-centric service providers, and innovators.
The BHARATI initiative is strategically structured to complement and amplify existing industry and government-backed incubation programs within the agriculture, food, and food processing industries.
It aims to promote innovation in high-value categories such as GI-tagged agri-products, organic foods, superfoods, novel processed Indian agri-foods, livestock products, and AYUSH products.
Additionally, the initiative seeks to attract startups focusing on advanced technologies including AI-powered quality control, blockchain-enabled traceability, IoT-enhanced cold chains, and agri-fintech, while addressing key aspects like innovative packaging, sustainability, and sea protocols.
BHARATI intends to tackle export challenges related to product development, value addition, quality assurance, perishability, waste management, and logistics. By cultivating a collaborative ecosystem, the program will connect agri-food innovators, technology-driven solution providers, and startups focused on SPS-TBT to offer scalable, cost-effective solutions that bolster India’s global competitiveness, as per the ministry's announcement.
The BHARATI initiative will develop globally competitive agri-products, stimulate demand-driven backward integration for food innovation, and elevate global interest in Indian food, beverage, and processed food products and services.
The initiative encompasses a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at engaging stakeholders and attracting solution-oriented startups from across India, with an application and selection process starting in September 2025 through the APEDA website to shortlist 100 startups for the export enablement program.
Chosen startups will participate in a three-month acceleration program emphasizing product development, export readiness, regulatory compliance, market access, and collaborative solutions to overcome export challenges.
To bolster this ecosystem, APEDA will collaborate with state agricultural boards, agricultural universities, esteemed institutions like IITs and NITs, industry associations, and existing accelerators to draw startups into the agri-export enablement initiative.
This pilot cohort will act as a prototype for a scalable annual incubation program, fostering continuous innovation and sustainable export growth.
The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the significance of the ‘BHARATI’ initiative in enhancing India’s position in the global agri-food market. This program reflects a strategic approach to fostering innovation and empowering startups, which can significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth and export capabilities. The focus on technology and sustainability is commendable and aligns with the global trends in agriculture.
NationPress
03/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the ‘BHARATI’ initiative?
The ‘BHARATI’ initiative aims to empower 100 agri-food startups, drive innovation, and target $50 billion in exports by 2030.
Who launched the ‘BHARATI’ initiative?
The initiative was launched by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
What types of startups will be supported under this initiative?
The initiative will support agri-food producers, tech-driven service providers, and innovators in the agri-tech space.
When does the application process for startups begin?
The application process for the export enablement program will commence in September 2025.
What areas does the initiative focus on?
The initiative focuses on innovation in high-value agri-products, advanced technologies, sustainability, and addressing export challenges.
