Focus Areas

The BHARATI Initiative is focused on the following 3 areas:

  • High-Value and Innovative Agri-Food Products
  • Technology-Led Solutions for Export Enablement
  • Solutions for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) risks and compliance barriers

and is designed to strengthen India’s agri-food export ecosystem by enabling

  • Start-ups and Farmer Producer Companies (FPC) developing and producing, High-value and innovative agri-food based on APEDA’s scheduled product categories
  • Technology startups developing breakthrough solutions to address export-related challenges
  • Startups, Farmer Producer Companies (FPC) and Individuals offering ideas, solutions, innovations to mitigate Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) risks and compliance barriers

By enabling the above, APEDA aims to empower innovative, high-potential, technology-driven, and solutions-oriented ventures, start-ups, and individuals across three strategic focus areas—ultimately building a dynamic, resilient, and future-ready export ecosystem for Indian agricultural and processed food products.

High-Value and Innovative Agri-Food Products

High-value and innovative products lie at the core of BHARATI’s mission to position India as a global leader in agri-food exports. High-value products refer to premium offerings within APEDA’s categories that command strong international demand due to superior quality, health benefits, and appeal to niche or premium markets. These products often carry globally recognized certifications such as Global GAP, ISO 22000, HACCP, USDA Organic, NPOP and other relevant certifications, enabling higher price realization, improved producer profitability, and stronger global competitiveness for India.

Through the BHARATI initiative, APEDA seeks to drives innovation by encouraging startups to launch new-to-market products, develop novel use-cases using agri or horticultural inputs, and leverage advanced technology or packaging solutions to overcome export challenges —including shelf-life limitations, regulatory compliance, and market-specific adaptations. Such innovations create a sustainable and distinctive Indian export identity in global markets.

  • Functional/Super foods and nutraceuticals with proven health benefits
  • Ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook product formats targeting premium consumer segments
  • Organic Food with The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) certifications
  • GI tagged agri-food products and their unique derivatives
  • Unique and ethnic Indian agri-foods and food products developed from them
  • Residue-free agri-food products (foods cultivated and processed to be free from harmful chemical residues, such as synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, that can remain from conventional farming practices)
  • Agri-food products with traceability and certifications
  • Smart packaging that extends shelf life and ensures freshness
  • Indigenous ingredients reimagined for global palates (e.g., jackfruit-based vegan meat, millet-based snacks)
  • Plant-based alternatives and sustainable food innovations
  • Products tailored for specific international dietary trends (e.g., keto, gluten-free, high-protein) that meet niche market demands
  • Novel processed Indian foods that are modern formats of traditional dishes designed for global convenience and appeal.
  • Climate-smart agri-food products that are sustainably produced to support climate resilience and resource efficiency.

The Products should be aligned to APEDA’s Scheduled Product Categories.BHARATI initiative targets startups aligned with the following high-priority categories to drive innovation, product development, and export growth:

Fruits, Vegetables and their Products. Meat and Meat Products. Poultry and Poultry Products.
Dairy Products. Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products. Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products.
Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds. Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Cereal and Cereal Products.
Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts. Pickles, Papads and Chutneys. Guar Gum.
Floriculture and Floriculture Products. Herbal and Medicinal Plants. De –oiled rice bran.
Green pepper in brine. Cashew Nuts and Its Products. Basmati rice

Startups building technology-first solutions are critical for overcoming longstanding infrastructure and process-related constraints across agri-food export value chains. BHARATI seeks to identify and supports tech interventions across the following area:

  • Digital Marketplaces & Traceability Solutions
  • Cold Chain Infrastructure, IoT Monitoring & Post-Harvest Technologies
  • Digitization of Quality Control & NTB (Non-Tariff Barrier) Compliance
  • Agri-Fintech Platforms for Export Credit & Risk Management
  • Sustainable, ESG-Compliant Packaging Innovations
  • Shelf Life Enhancement & Post harvest Management
  • Post harvest Wastage Reduction & Supply Chain Optimization

BHARATI is committed to shaping an export ecosystem where innovation, value addition, and technology intersect, making Indian agri and processed food products globally competitive.

Through the BHARATI Initiative, APEDA is seeking to identify and support organizations, institutions, and start-ups that are developing or have developed innovative ideas, solutions, or technologies to address Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) risks, challenges, and compliance barriers impacting the export of Indian food products—including mango, groundnut, pomegranate, buffalo meat, potato, brinjal, dairy products, grapes, honey, basmati rice, rice/cereals, poultry products, eggplant, green beans, green peas, and banana.

Focus areas include:

  • New Ideas, Sustainable Practices and Innovative Solutions for solving pests, pathogens, and contaminants impacting exports of APEDA’s scheduled products
  • Rapid Detection & Diagnostic Tools  for pests, pathogens, and contaminants across priority commodities
  • AI/ML-Based Risk Prediction Models  for early warning and export readiness assessments
  • Blockchain & Digital Traceability Platforms  to ensure transparency and compliance across the value chain
  • Smart Sampling & Testing Technologies  for residue monitoring and real-time quality control
  • Compliance Automation Tools  for managing international SPS documentation and regulatory workflows
  • Biosecurity & Post-Harvest Treatment Innovations  to meet import country protocols
  • Cold Chain & Containment Solutions  to prevent contamination and maintain product integrity
  • Capacity Building Platforms  for exporters and FPOs on evolving SPS standards and best practices
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