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This scheme by APEDA provides financial support to help Indian agri-product exporters overcome challenges and boost their Read More... global sales. Read less

Details

Looking to export your agricultural or processed food products from India? The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has a scheme designed to help you. This Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) is active from 2021-22 to 2025-26 and aims to give a push to India's agri-exports.

What Is This Scheme?

APEDA, a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, runs this scheme to support exporters of agricultural and processed foods. It aims to address the hurdles faced by these exporters and provide them with the necessary help to succeed in international markets. Financial help is available in three key areas: building export infrastructure, improving quality, and developing markets.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily for APEDA registered exporters. However, it also extends to other entities involved in the agri-export chain. This includes Certification Bodies accredited under the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP), State Agencies, trade bodies, Chambers of Commerce, Government agencies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Cooperatives, individual farmers, and approved laboratories.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In today's competitive global market, strong infrastructure, high-quality products, and smart market strategies are crucial for export success. APEDA's scheme aims to strengthen these areas. By providing financial aid for setting up packhouses, cold storage, pre-shipment treatment facilities, adopting quality management systems, and exploring new markets, the scheme helps Indian agri-products meet international standards and gain wider acceptance.

Objective

This scheme by APEDA provides financial support to help Indian agri-product exporters overcome challenges and boost their global sales.

Benefits

Long-Term Fellowship (6-12 months) in Indian institutes:

Monthly Stipend:₹40,000/- per month (different station); ₹20,000/- per month (same station).
Travel Allowance:As per the parent organization's T.A. rules.
Contingency Grant:₹30,000/- (maximum) for local expenses; ₹20,000/- for attending progress review meetings.

Long-Term Fellowship (6-12 months) in Foreign institutes:

Monthly Stipend:US $3000/- per month (or equivalent currency).
Air Travel:Economy class airfare by Air India via the shortest route.
Contingency Grant:₹50,000/- (maximum) for visa, insurance, local expenses; ₹20,000/- for review meetings.
Conference Grant:US $600 (up to 6 months) or US $1200 (6–12 months).

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

APEDA registered exporters can apply for assistance. Central and State government institutions and Public Sector Enterprises are eligible for assistance under specific sub-components, as detailed in APEDA's Operational Guidelines.
The scheme covers all APEDA scheduled products.
Expenditure incurred before the online application date or before In-Principle Approval (IPA) is generally not eligible.
For exporters from North-Eastern states, difficult areas (Himalayan and land-locked states, Island Union Territories), SC/ST, and women beneficiaries, assistance can be up to 75% for all activities, subject to overall financial ceilings.
SC/ST category applicants need to meet specific shareholding criteria for proprietary concerns, partnership firms, and private limited companies/LLPs/FPCs.
Women entrepreneurs must meet criteria such as the business existing for at least one year, with a woman proprietor for proprietary concerns, or all partners/directors/promoters being women for firms/FPOs/FPCs/LLPs/Private Limited companies.
For organic products, the unit must be capable of processing according to NPOP requirements.
A processing fee of 5% + GST is charged on the disbursed amount, deducted at the time of fund release.
Applications must be submitted within 30 days of online submission.
For equipment purchases, quotations from a minimum of three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or their authorized dealers are required. Assistance is calculated on the lowest quoted rate.
For feasibility studies, quotations from reputed consulting firms with at least 5 years of relevant experience are needed.
Quotations must clearly state the supplier's address, GSTN, TIN, PAN, product details, specifications, validity, and item-wise costs.
For projects involving civil work, APEDA's assistance is limited to Technical Civil Work, with cost estimates certified by a Chartered Engineer or Civil Architect. This component is capped at 25% of the total eligible financial assistance.
Training programs require submission of schedules or prospectuses.
Exporters must submit quarterly export performance online on the APEDA website.
In-principle approval (IPA) from APEDA is generally required for all components, except for specific lab testing charges.
Amendments to IPA can be considered within its validity period. Extension of IPA may be granted on a case-to-case basis.
APEDA reserves the right to appraise projects externally; non-viable projects will not be considered.
APEDA can intervene in charges fixed by agencies if they are not commensurate with services.
The decision of APEDA on claim admissibility is final.
Any change in ownership/management must be updated in the RCMC certificate.
Reimbursement is back-ended, after claim submission and physical verification.
Final claims must be filed before the IPA's expiry.
APEDA may consider assistance for each separate manufacturing unit, provided they are incorporated into the IEC and APEDA RCMC.
Disbursement of assistance is subject to budget allocation by the Government.
Financial assistance is provided subject to the continuation of the scheme; no claims can be carried forward beyond the plan period (2021-26).
Applicants must comply with FSSAI and other regulatory requirements.
Beneficiaries receiving assistance for specific infrastructure (pack-house, reefer van, cable car) must not sell their unit for five years post-disbursement.
A declaration stating no financial assistance has been availed from other state/central agencies is required. If applied elsewhere, details must be submitted.
APEDA may conduct pre-inspection before project appraisal.
Applications may be rejected if incomplete, unsatisfactory, or not as per guidelines.
Disputes will be governed by Indian law and subject to New Delhi jurisdiction.

How To Apply

Prepare a detailed proposal including company profile, project nature, existing and proposed infrastructure, benefits of the project, process flow charts, and market viability. Ensure project costs are supported by quotations or bills of quantity.
Apply online for financial assistance through the 'Submit FAS Application' option on the APEDA website: www.apeda.gov.in.
After online submission, a unique track number will be generated.
Submit a printout of the online application along with the acknowledgment sheet and all necessary supporting documents physically within 30 days from the date of online application. Failure to do so will lead to automatic cancellation of the application.

Official Link:

APEDA Financial Assistance Scheme Guidelines

Documents Required

All submitted documents must be duly signed by the Competent Authority. If original documents are in a regional language, self-certified English/Hindi translations must be provided.

Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Chartered Engineer Certificate in the prescribed format.
A detailed appraisal note from the lending Bank/Financial Institution, if applicable.
Certificate of incorporation/registration, Memorandum and Articles of Association (for companies), or Bye-laws (for other entities).
Audited Financial Statements for the last two years.
Self-attested English/Hindi version of land documents proving title or lease for at least 15 years.
Change in Land Use (CLU) permission for the main facility land.
Quotations from a minimum of three suppliers for Plant and machinery and equipment (unless imported/proprietary items).
Copies of necessary permissions from Central, State, and other statutory bodies.
Copy of the term loan sanctioned from a bank/financial institution for the project, if applicable.
Project drawing/layout diagram approved by a Chartered Engineer.
For applicants not availing loans, a detailed appraisal note with justification and feasibility, endorsed by the Competent Authority of the applicant organization.
Details of grants availed from any other agency for the same component(s) must be intimated.

FAQ’s

What is APEDA and what are its functions?

APEDA stands for the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. Established under an Act of Parliament, its main role is to promote and develop the export of a wide range of agricultural and processed food products from India. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, honey, cereals, and more. APEDA also focuses on developing export-oriented production, fixing export standards, improving packaging and marketing, and collecting export-related statistics. It also handles registration of exporters and promotion of Geographical Indications (GI) like Basmati Rice, and manages the National Programme for Organic Production.

How can I find the details of the financial assistance schemes available through APEDA?

You can find detailed information about APEDA's Financial Assistance Schemes (FAS) by visiting their official website. Specifically, the operational guidelines and details of the scheme are available at: APEDA FAS Guidelines.

What are the main categories of support provided under this APEDA scheme?

The scheme provides financial assistance in three main areas: Development of Export Infrastructure (like packhouses, cold storage, processing facilities), Quality Development (implementing quality management systems, obtaining certifications, traceability systems), and Market Development (exploring new markets, participating in trade fairs, buyer-seller meets).

Are there any special benefits for certain categories of applicants?

Yes, absolutely. Exporters from North-Eastern states, difficult areas (Himalayan, land-locked states, Island UTs), SC/ST individuals, and women entrepreneurs can receive higher assistance, up to 75% for all eligible activities. This benefit is subject to the overall financial limits of the scheme.

What is the application submission deadline after applying online?

After submitting your application online, you must submit the printout along with all required documents physically within 30 days from the date of the online application. If you miss this deadline, your online application will be automatically cancelled.

How is APEDA's assistance calculated if I get multiple quotations for equipment?

When purchasing new equipment, you need to get quotations from at least three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or their authorized dealers. APEDA's assistance will be calculated based on the lowest quoted rate among these quotations.

What if I need to make changes to my approved project after receiving In-Principle Approval (IPA)?

Amendments to the IPA can be considered if requested by the applicant, provided they are made within the validity period of the IPA. If you need an extension for the IPA, APEDA may consider it on a case-to-case basis.

Can I get financial assistance for projects that are already complete?

Generally, expenditure incurred before the date of online application submission or before receiving the In-Principle Approval (IPA) is not eligible for assistance. The grant is restricted to plant and machinery and technical civil work created after the online application submission.

What happens if my project is found to be not viable during appraisal?

APEDA reserves the right to get projects appraised by an external agency. If a project is found to be not viable, the application will not be considered for financial assistance.

What is the processing fee charged by APEDA on the disbursed amount?

APEDA charges a processing fee approved by the Department of Commerce. Currently, this fee is 5% plus applicable GST on the disbursed amount. This fee is deducted at the time of releasing the funds to the applicant.