It is APEDA's financial assistance framework for the 16th Finance Commission period, covering 2026–27 to 2030–31, supporting agricultural export infrastructure, quality development and market development.
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Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana 2026–27 to 2030–31
APEDA Financial Assistance Scheme for Agricultural & Processed Food Exporters
The Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana (BKNY) is the name given to the APEDA Financial Assistance Scheme for the 16th Finance Commission period from 2026–27 to 2030–31. The scheme is designed to strengthen India's agricultural export ecosystem by supporting export infrastructure, quality and international compliance, and market development activities.
APEDA extends assistance to stakeholders across the agricultural export value chain, including exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), manufacturers, traders, merchant exporters, government institutions, laboratories and other eligible beneficiaries, depending on the applicable component and activity.
Whether an exporter needs to develop export infrastructure, obtain internationally recognised certifications, strengthen testing and quality systems, explore new markets or promote Indian products internationally, the applicable BKNY component may provide financial assistance subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria, ceilings and conditions.
What is Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana?
The Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana is APEDA's financial assistance framework for supporting the development and expansion of India's agricultural and processed food export value chain during 2026–27 to 2030–31.
The scheme brings together assistance in three broad areas:
- Development of Export Infrastructure
- Quality Development
- Market Development
These three components address different stages of the export journey—from creating the physical infrastructure required to prepare products for export, to meeting international quality requirements and finally accessing and expanding international markets.
Three Components of Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana
1. Development of Export Infrastructure
This component supports infrastructure required for agricultural and processed food exports, including integrated pack houses, cold-chain facilities, pre-cooling, refrigerated transport, food-processing facilities and common infrastructure. With benefits reaching up to Rs. 2.5 Cr for some components.
Development of Export Infrastructure
2. Quality Development
The Quality Development component focuses on international quality, food safety, sustainability, testing, certification, laboratories, packaging, SPS compliance, technology adoption and capacity building. With benefits reaching up to Rs. 2 Cr for some components.
3. Market Development
Market Development focuses on helping eligible stakeholders access new markets and strengthen their presence in existing international markets through market intelligence, trade events, feasibility studies, trial shipments, branding, international retail listings and GI product promotion. With benefits reaching up to Rs. 1 Cr for some components.
Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana – Market Development
Who Can Benefit from Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana?
Eligibility depends on the particular activity and sub-component. The guidelines provide assistance to different categories of stakeholders, including:
- APEDA Registered Exporters
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- Primary Agricultural Co-op Credit Societies (PACS)
- SC/ST beneficiaries
- Women beneficiaries
- Startups
- Organic operators under applicable provisions
- Government institutions
- Public-sector institutions
- Laboratories
- Other eligible organisations specified under individual components
The assistance percentage and maximum ceiling may differ according to the beneficiary category, location, type of project and activity.
For several infrastructure and quality-development activities, specified categories—including FPOs, PACS, SC/ST, women beneficiaries and startups, as well as eligible beneficiaries from specified regions—can receive enhanced assistance subject to the applicable conditions.
What Financial Assistance is Available?
The Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana does not have one uniform subsidy rate applicable to every project.
Financial assistance varies according to:
- Component
- Sub-component
- Type of beneficiary
- Location
- Nature of activity
- Project cost
- Applicable maximum ceiling
- Specific conditions prescribed by APEDA
For example, under Integrated Pack House and processing facilities, assistance can be up to 75% subject to a ceiling of ₹250 lakh for specified categories, while other eligible beneficiaries may receive assistance up to 40% subject to the same ceiling.
Therefore, eligibility should be assessed against the specific BKNY sub-component, rather than relying on a general subsidy percentage.
Key Areas Supported under Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana
Depending on the applicable component, the scheme can support activities such as:
Export Infrastructure
- Integrated pack houses
- Pre-cooling facilities
- Cold storage
- Reefer and insulated transport
- Mobile pre-cooling units
- Food-processing equipment
- Common infrastructure
- Infrastructure upgradation
Quality & Compliance
- Food safety certifications
- Sustainability certifications
- International standards
- Quality testing
- Residue testing
- Export laboratories
- In-house laboratories
- Packaging systems
- SPS compliance
- Traceability
- AI and other technology solutions
- Training and capacity building
Market Development
- Market intelligence
- Trade fairs
- Buyer-Seller Meets
- Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets
- Trade delegations
- Feasibility studies
- Trial shipments
- International brand/IPR registration
- Retail-chain listing
- GI product promotion
Important Conditions to Consider
Applicants should carefully review the conditions applicable to the relevant sub-component before committing expenditure.
One important general condition is that expenditure incurred before submission of the online application to APEDA is not considered for assistance. Expenditure incurred after online submission but before issuance of In-Principle Approval is also not automatically eligible and remains subject to APEDA's decision.
Applicants should also consider:
- Applicable APEDA RCMC requirements
- Eligibility of the proposed activity
- Project-specific documentation
- Land and statutory approvals where applicable
- Technical and financial viability
- In-Principle Approval requirements
- Applicable inspection and verification requirements
- Restrictions on assistance from other government agencies for the same component
- Applicable processing fee and release conditions
How to Apply for APEDA Assistance?
A typical project process involves:
- Identify the applicable BKNY component
- Check beneficiary and project eligibility
- Prepare project proposal and supporting documents
- Submit online application to APEDA
- Technical and financial scrutiny
- Evaluation by the relevant committee
- In-Principle Approval, wherever applicable
- Project implementation / eligible activity
- Submission of final claim documents
- Physical verification wherever applicable
- Release of eligible financial assistance
The guidelines provide for online applications, scrutiny, technical and financial evaluation, In-Principle Approval and subsequent claim verification before disbursement.
Why Proper Scheme Assessment Matters
APEDA assistance is activity-specific. A project may appear broadly related to agricultural exports but still not qualify under a particular BKNY sub-component if it does not satisfy the prescribed conditions.
For infrastructure projects, for example, the guidelines specify requirements relating to land ownership/lease, statutory permissions, technical documentation, project appraisal and other conditions.
A proper assessment can help an applicant identify:
- The correct BKNY component
- Applicable assistance rate
- Maximum eligible amount
- Beneficiary-specific provisions
- Required documents
- Project-specific conditions
- Whether prior approval is required
- Whether the proposed expenditure is eligible
Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana – FAQs
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What is Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana?
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What are the components of BKNY?
The three components are Development of Export Infrastructure, Quality Development and Market Development.
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Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on the particular sub-component. APEDA registered exporters and other specified beneficiaries such as FPOs, PACS, women beneficiaries, SC/ST beneficiaries and startups may be eligible for particular activities.
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Is the assistance percentage the same for all activities?
No. The assistance percentage and ceiling vary according to the activity, beneficiary category and applicable conditions.
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Can an applicant incur expenditure before applying?
Applicants should note that expenditure incurred before submission of the online application is not considered for assistance under the general conditions.
Need Assistance with Bharat Krishi Niryat Yojana?
Understanding the correct component, eligibility conditions, assistance ceiling and documentation requirements is an important first step before preparing an APEDA proposal.
Unique Group can help businesses assess the applicable APEDA assistance provisions and understand the requirements relevant to their proposed export project.
Talk to an APEDA Scheme Consultant