APEDA launches BHARATI to support Agri Food Startups and boost India’s agri Food Export

Posted 03 Sep 2025

2 min read

The initiative aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India visions, enhancing India’s global agri-food trade presence.

About BHARATI

It stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement.
Key Objectives:
- It aims to support 100 agri-food startups,and achieve $50 billion in exports by 2030.
  - Selected startups will undergo a 3 month acceleration programme on product development, export readiness, regulatory compliance, market access etc.
- Attract startups working on advanced technologies: E.g. AI-based quality control, blockchain-enabled traceability, IoT-enabled cold chains and agri-fintech
- Drive Innovation in high-value categories: E.g. GI-tagged agri-products, Organic foods, Superfoods, Novel processed Indian agri-foods, Livestock products, AYUSH products
- Resolve export challenges: E.g. related to product development, value addition, quality assurance, perishability, wastage and logistics.

Role of Agri-startups in enhancing Agri-export

Streamlined Supply Chains: Address post-harvest losses through demand-driven cold chains, warehouse monitoring, and market linkages, crucial for maintaining product quality for international markets.
Quality Optimization: Provide farmers with quality inputs and technical guidance, ensuring higher yields and export-ready produce.
Enhanced Processing & Traceability: Strengthen organized food processing, enable traceability, and streamline operations to raise farmer income and export competitiveness.
Technology Integration: Use Big Data and IoT for precision farming, pest management, and weather forecasting, ensuring consistent, high-quality export ready crops.
Market Linkages: Innovations in market linkage models align crop production with consumer demand, ensuring timely and efficient fulfillment of export orders.

Agri-startups are instrumental in transforming India's agriculture from subsistence to profit-driven enterprises, significantly impacting agricultural exports.