Introduction
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP), which aims to enhance the yield and productivity of horticulture crops in India.
- Announced during the interim budget of 2023, the CPP focuses on improving the quality of fruit crops across the country.
- The programme includes three key components: Clean Plant Centres (CPCs), a certification and legal framework, and enhanced infrastructure, to be implemented by the National Horticulture Board in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Body:
Objectives:
Increase Crop Yield:
- Enhance the yield of horticulture crops by providing disease-free planting material.
- Example: Disease-free saplings of mango can lead to higher yields, benefiting farmers in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
Protect Ecosystems:
- Establish Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) to proactively control viruses and diseases.
- Example: Preventing the spread of citrus greening disease through CPCs can protect citrus orchards in regions like Nagpur.
Capacity Building:
- Strengthen stakeholder capacities for the adoption, operation, and distribution of clean plant production.
- Example: Training programs for farmers in Kerala on virus-free banana cultivation.
Knowledge Network Improvement:
- Foster collaboration among research institutes, universities, and national and state agencies for sustainable operation of CPCs and nursery certification programs.
- Example: Collaboration between ICAR and state agricultural universities for clean plant research in Himachal Pradesh.
Implementation Strategy:
Development of Clean Plant Centres (CPCs):
- Nine CPCs will be established to provide high-quality, virus-free planting material.
- Example: Setting up a CPC in Tamil Nadu to support the state’s rich horticultural diversity.
Infrastructure Enhancement:*
- Develop large-scale nurseries to facilitate the efficient multiplication of clean planting material.
- Example: Creating a network of nurseries in Andhra Pradesh to boost mango and grape cultivation.
Potential Benefits:
– Increased Crop Yields and Income:
– Accessibility to high-quality, virus-free planting material will lead to higher crop yields and better financial prospects for farmers.
– Example: Improved yields in apple orchards in Himachal Pradesh, enhancing income for smallholder farmers.
– Sustainability of Nurseries:
– Streamlined certification processes and infrastructure support will promote the growth and sustainability of nurseries.
– Example: Expansion of certified nurseries in Karnataka to meet local and export demands for horticultural crops.
– Consumer Benefits:
– Consumers will benefit from superior, virus-free produce, with better flavor, appearance, and nutritional content.
– Example: The supply of high-quality Alphonso mangoes, free from disease, to both domestic and international markets.
– Global Market Positioning:
– India will strengthen its position as a leading supplier of fruits by expanding its disease-free fruit supply.
– Example: Enhancing India’s reputation as a major exporter of bananas to the Middle East and Europe.
– Inclusive Access:
– Ensure affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of landholding size or socioeconomic status.
– Example: Distribution of virus-free saplings to small and marginal farmers in Rajasthan.
– Gender Inclusion:
– Involve female farmers in the programme’s design and implementation.
– Example: Women-led cooperatives in West Bengal being trained to propagate and distribute clean plant materials.
– Region-Specific Solutions:
– Develop clean plant varieties and technologies tailored to India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions.
– Example: Customizing solutions for apple growers in Jammu & Kashmir and orange cultivators in Arunachal Pradesh.
Conclusion:
- India, the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, has seen significant growth in horticultural acreage and production in the past decade. The Clean Plant Programme is poised to complement initiatives like Mission LiFE and One Health, driving sustainable agricultural practices and reducing reliance on imported planting materials.
- By supporting the growth of India’s horticultural sector, this programme will be instrumental in positioning India as a major global fruit exporter and transforming the industry towards sustainability.