Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana - APEDA Export Promotion Scheme for 16th Finance Commission Cycle

Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana is the new export promotion scheme of APEDA for the 16th Finance Commission Cycle (2026-27 to 2030-31). It replaces the earlier Agriculture And Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme that ran for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). The scheme gives financial support to exporters, farmer producer organizations, food manufacturers, traders, and State governments to grow India's agricultural exports.

Managed by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this scheme helps stakeholders build a stronger export value chain. Support is given under three broad heads: Export Infrastructure Development, Quality Development, and Market Development. As of August 2026, APEDA has started setting up the project management structure for the new cycle, and the scheme is open for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period.

Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana - Introduction

Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana is the successor to the earlier Agriculture And Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme of APEDA. The earlier scheme covered the 15th Finance Commission Cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26, and that cycle has now ended. For the new cycle, APEDA has launched Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana to continue supporting the agricultural export ecosystem from 2026-27 to 2030-31.

The scheme is made for exporters, FPOs, manufacturers of food products, traders, merchant exporters, State governments, and food testing laboratories. It helps these stakeholders develop and expand the export value chain so that more agricultural and processed food products can be sold from India to other countries.

Benefits

Financial support is given under three main heads, and each one covers a different part of the export business.

• Export Infrastructure Development: help to set up or upgrade integrated pack houses, pre-cooling units, refrigerated transport, pre-shipment treatment facilities, common infrastructure facilities, and processing units that meet the requirements of importing countries.
• Quality Development: support for quality management systems, upgradation of commercial and in-house laboratories, standardization, harmonization with international standards, quality packaging lines, reimbursement of testing charges, and product and technology development.
• Market Development: help to enter new markets and hold on to existing ones through trade fairs, trade delegations, reverse buyer seller meets, trial shipments, feasibility studies, market intelligence, brand and IPR registration, and marketing of GI products.

Under the earlier cycle, assistance for infrastructure could reach up to 40% of project cost capped at ₹200 lakh, quality certification up to 50% capped at ₹5 lakh or ₹20 lakh depending on the certification, and market development up to 50% to 75% capped at ₹10 lakh. For the new Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana, the exact subsidy rates follow the official scheme guidelines published by APEDA.

Eligibility

Exporters and organizations that are part of the agricultural export ecosystem can apply. The main groups covered are APEDA-registered exporters, farmer producer organizations, food manufacturers, traders, merchant exporters, State government agencies, and food testing laboratories.

For the earlier cycle, a valid APEDA registration for the relevant products was required. For SC/ST or women-led enterprises, 51% of ownership or shares had to be held by the eligible category members for at least one year. Facilities also had to follow FSSAI and other regulatory standards. Similar conditions are expected under the new scheme, and the full list is given in the official guidelines.

Application Process

Applications for financial assistance are submitted online through the APEDA interface. Exporters need their RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate) number to log in to the interface.

STEP 1 - Visit the official APEDA Financial Assistance Schemes page and check the latest notice inviting applications.

STEP 2 - Log in to the APEDA online interface using the RCMC number and fill in the financial assistance application form.

STEP 3 - Upload the project report and required financial documents online along with the application.

STEP 4 - Download the acknowledgment sheet with the unique Track Number after successful submission.

STEP 5 - Submit the printed copy of the application and supporting documents to the APEDA office within the time given in the guidelines.

Documents

Applicants need to keep the following documents ready before starting the application. Documents in a regional language should be translated into Hindi or English.

• Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Chartered Engineer Certificate.
• Appraisal note from the bank or financial institution.
• Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum of Association.
• Audited financial statements for the last two years.
• Land ownership proof or lease agreement registered for a minimum of 15 years.
• Quotations from at least three different suppliers for machinery or equipment.
• Technical drawings and layout diagrams approved by a surveyor.

References

APEDA Financial Assistance Schemes

Official Scheme Guidelines

FAQ's

What is Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana?

Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana is the new export promotion scheme of APEDA for the 16th Finance Commission Cycle (2026-27 to 2030-31). It supports exporters, FPOs, food manufacturers, traders, State governments, and testing labs with financial help for export infrastructure, quality development, and market development.

Is the old Agriculture And Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme still running?

The old scheme covered the 15th Finance Commission Cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26. That cycle has ended, and Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana has taken its place for the new cycle.

What are the three heads of assistance?

Support is given under Export Infrastructure Development, Quality Development, and Market Development.

Is there any processing fee?

Under the earlier cycle, APEDA charged a processing fee of 5% plus applicable GST on the disbursed amount. For the new scheme, the fee details follow the official guidelines.