The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched a new flagship program, the BHARATI initiative, aimed at transforming India’s agricultural and processed food export ecosystem. Designed to support startups, promote innovation, and expand India’s global agri food footprint, the BHARATI initiative is a significant step towards strengthening India’s position in international trade.
What is the BHARATI Initiative?
BHARATI stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement. The initiative has been structured to provide holistic support to 100 agri-food startups, enabling them to scale up, innovate, and connect with global markets. By 2030, the program aims to contribute towards raising India’s agri food exports to USD 50 billion.
The BHARATI initiative will serve as an incubation and innovation hub, offering mentorship, export facilitation, and funding guidance to startups working in the agri-food sector. This aligns closely with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India, reinforcing the goal of making India self reliant while expanding its international trade footprint.
Key Objectives of BHARATI Initiative
The BHARATI initiative has been designed around three core objectives:
- 1. Startup Empowerment – Supporting emerging agri-food entrepreneurs with infrastructure, training, and export-ready strategies.
- 2. Innovation Promotion – Encouraging advanced agritech solutions, food processing techniques, and value addition for global competitiveness.
- 3. Export Growth – Enabling India to tap into new markets and achieve the ambitious goal of $50 billion agri-food exports by 2030.
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Strategic Importance of the BHARATI Initiative
India is one of the largest producers of agricultural and processed food products, but unlocking its true export potential requires innovation and global market access. The BHARATI initiative addresses these challenges by connecting startups with global buyers, providing quality certification support, and enhancing resilience in the food supply chain.
By integrating technology with agriculture, the program also aims to reduce wastage, improve efficiency, and make Indian agri-food products globally competitive. This not only creates export opportunities but also generates rural employment and strengthens the farm to market ecosystem.
Conclusion
The launch of the BHARATI initiative marks a bold step by APEDA to accelerate India’s agricultural exports and promote agritech innovation. With its focus on startups, resilience, and export enablement, the program is set to play a crucial role in achieving India’s $50 billion agri-food export target by 2030, while simultaneously advancing the vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive Atmanirbhar Bharat.
