**Executive Summary**
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organized the BHARATI Startup Challenge at IndusFood 2026 to encourage innovation in the agricultural and processed food export sector. Selected startups will gain international exposure through participation in Gulfood (Dubai) and BIOFACH (Germany). The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BHARATI Startup Challenge:**
* Aims to support export-ready startups with mentorship, market access, and policy facilitation.
* Selected startups will participate in Gulfood and BIOFACH for international exposure.
* **BHARATI Startup Zone:**
* Showcased over 100 agri-startups focused on value addition, agri-technology, processing, packaging, logistics, traceability, and sustainable export solutions.
* Demonstrates how technology strengthens agricultural value chains, supports MSMEs, and empowers farmers.
* **APEDA Pavilion:**
* Highlighted export-ready agri and processed food products, quality assurance systems, traceability initiatives, GI-tagged products, and sustainability-driven practices.
* Served as a platform for exporters, FPOs, startups, and global buyers, facilitating interactions and business opportunities.
* **Government Focus:**
* APEDA's participation underscores the Government of India's focus on ease of doing business, MSME empowerment, startup enablement, and sustainable agricultural exports.
* Aims to strengthen collaboration between policy, industry, and innovation ecosystems.
* Positions India as a reliable and future-ready global supplier of agricultural and processed food products.
**Impact Analysis**
**Startups**
* **Impact:** Selected startups will gain international exposure through participation in Gulfood and BIOFACH. The initiative supports startups with mentorship, market access, and policy facilitation.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the BHARATI Startup Challenge.
**Exporters and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)**
* **Impact:** Increased business opportunities and interactions with global buyers. Showcasing export-ready products on the APEDA Pavilion.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the APEDA Pavilion to display products and interact with global buyers.
**Ministry of Commerce & Industry**
* **Impact:** The event strengthens India's agri-export ecosystem and demonstrates the country's focus on MSME empowerment, startup enablement, and sustainable agricultural exports.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting and promoting initiatives such as the BHARATI Startup Challenge.
Key Entities Referenced
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): Authority organizing BHARATI Startup Challenge and involved in initiatives to promote agricultural exports.
BHARATI Startup Challenge: Challenge organized to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural and processed food export sector.
IndusFood 2026: Trade show event where APEDA participated and organized the BHARATI Startup Challenge.
BHARATI Startup Zone: Zone showcasing innovative agri-startups, reflecting APEDA's focus on nurturing innovation.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA organises BHARATI Startup Challenge at
Indusfood 2026, top startups to participate in
Gulfood in Dubai and BIOFACH in Germany
BHARATI Startup Zone Showcases Role of Agri-Startups in
Strengthening Export Value Chains
प्रव तथ: 08 JAN 2026 7:27PM by PIB Delhi
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, participated in IndusFood 2026, during which it
organised the BHARATI Startup Challenge to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the
agricultural and processed food export sector. The initiative aims to support export-ready startups by
providing mentorship, market access and policy facilitation. Selected startups emerging from the challenge
will be provided international exposure through participation in Gulfood in Dubai, and BIOFACH in
Germany, enabling them to explore global market opportunities and strengthen India’s agri-export
ecosystem.
Another key highlight of APEDA’s participation was the BHARATI Startup Zone with over 100
exhibitors, which showcased innovative agri-startups working across critical areas such as value addition,
agri-technology, processing, packaging, logistics, traceability and sustainable solutions for exports. The
Zone reflected APEDA’s focused approach towards nurturing innovation and enabling startups to become
integral contributors to India’s agri-export growth story.
The BHARATI Startup Zone demonstrated how entrepreneurship and technology-led solutions are
strengthening India’s agricultural value chains, supporting MSMEs, empowering farmers and enhancing
India’s presence in global markets.
The APEDA Pavilion served as a vibrant platform highlighting export-ready agri and processed food
products, quality assurance systems, traceability initiatives, GI-tagged products and sustainability-driven
practices. The pavilion brought together exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), startups and
global buyers, facilitating meaningful interactions and business opportunities across the agri-export value
chain.
The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan, in
the presence of senior government officials, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the agri-export
ecosystem.
APEDA’s participation at IndusFood 2026 underscored the Government of India’s focus on ease of doing
business, MSME empowerment, startup enablement and sustainable agricultural exports, while
strengthening collaboration between policy, industry and innovation ecosystems and positioning India as a
reliable and future-ready global supplier of agricultural and processed food products.
***Abhishek Dayal/Garima Singh/Anushka Pandey
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2212598) आगंतुक पटल : 694
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