The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has launched the BHARATI initiative to promote agri-food startups and innovation, aiming to boost India’s agri-food exports to $50 billion by 2030.
About BHARATI Initiative:
- Full Form: Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement.
- Objective: To make India a global hub for agri-food startups and enhance export competitiveness.
- Target Cohort: Supports 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups in its first batch.
- Program Duration: Three-month acceleration program focused on: Product development, Export readiness, Regulatory compliance
Focus Sectors:
- GI-tagged agricultural products
- Organic foods
- Superfoods
- Processed Indian food products
Significance of the Initiative:
- Boost Agricultural Exports: Helps diversify India’s agri-export portfolio and enter niche global markets (organic, GI-tagged, AYUSH products).
- Startup Support: Provides incubation and scale-up support for agri-tech and food processing startups.
- Innovation Promotion: Encourages R&D in packaging, traceability, and cold-chain logistics, reducing wastage.
- Alignment with National Goals: Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India, Vocal for Local, and Startup India.
- Global Competitiveness: Helps meet SPS-TBT standards required for international trade.
- Farmers’ Income & Food Security: Promotes value addition and backward linkages, improving farm-gate prices and rural entrepreneurship.
Challenges to Address:
- Fragmented supply chains and limited cold storage.
- Strict global trade barriers and import regulations.
- Financing and scalability issues for small startups.
- Inadequate export infrastructure, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Ecosystem: Expand to a permanent annual incubation program.
- Policy Synergy: Align with export promotion schemes, FPOs, farm mechanization, and food processing programs.
- International Partnerships: Enhance technology exchange and market access with importing countries.
- Sustainability Focus: Promote eco-friendly packaging, climate-resilient logistics, and sustainable practices.
APEDA:
- Founded: 1986, via Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- Objective: Development and promotion of exports for scheduled agricultural and processed products.
- Scope: Covers 700+ products across 14 categories including fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy, poultry, meat, and processed foods.
Conclusion:
BHARATI will boost India’s agri-food exports, support startups, and promote innovation, while increasing farmers’ income and rural entrepreneurship. It aligns with national goals for sustainable and competitive growth.
