Export-focused acceleration programme empowers 100 startups with global market access, technology support, and innovation to strengthen India’s agri-food exports.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has successfully completed the first cohort of its flagship BHARATI (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Innovation) programme, marking a significant step toward strengthening India’s agri-food export ecosystem through innovation and entrepreneurship. The initiative is designed to support startups developing products, technologies, and services that can enhance the competitiveness of India’s agricultural and processed food exports.
The inaugural cohort brought together 100 startups from 22 states and two Union Territories, selected through a rigorous evaluation process from more than 700 applications received across the country. The participating startups represented diverse segments of the agri-food value chain, including 68 product-based companies, 26 technology and export-enablement service providers, and six startups focused on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, traceability, quality assurance, and compliance solutions.
Over the course of the programme, participants completed more than 120 hours of structured training, receiving mentorship from industry experts, export specialists, investors, and policymakers. The curriculum covered key areas such as international market access, export regulations, branding, product development, logistics, fundraising, and business scaling, helping startups become globally competitive.
Several participating startups have already achieved notable milestones by expanding into international markets. Products including fresh mangoes, millet-based foods, value-added processed products, and Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged agricultural goods have reached export destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Dubai, and several European countries, demonstrating the programme’s early success in creating global business opportunities.
The BHARATI initiative forms part of APEDA’s broader strategy to promote innovation-led growth, encourage value addition, strengthen food processing capabilities, and increase the adoption of advanced technologies across India’s agri-food sector. By supporting export-ready startups, the programme aims to improve the country’s competitiveness in international food markets while generating new opportunities for farmers, food processors, and agri-entrepreneurs.
The programme also aligns with India’s ambition to achieve USD 50 billion in APEDA-scheduled product exports by 2030. Through continued collaboration with startups, research institutions, and industry stakeholders, APEDA expects BHARATI to play an important role in expanding India’s export basket, improving product quality, and promoting sustainable growth across the agricultural value chain.
Following the successful completion of its first cohort, APEDA is expected to continue the BHARATI programme with future batches, providing more startups with the knowledge, mentorship, and market connections needed to build globally competitive agri-food businesses. The initiative reinforces India’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening its position as a leading exporter of agricultural and processed food products.