Clean Plant Programme

Context:

The Cabinet has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP), with an outlay of Rs 1,766 crore, under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Clean Plant Programme for Enhancing Horticulture
2. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
3. The Horticulture Sector in India: An Overview

Clean Plant Programme for Enhancing Horticulture

• Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Union Cabinet sanctioned the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) with a financial commitment of Rs 1,766 crore. This initiative is designed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to significantly advance the quality and productivity of India’s fruit crops.
• The programme was initially disclosed during the budget presentation by the Finance Minister in February 2023, highlighting its focus on addressing viral infections in horticultural crops to improve both yield and quality.
• Implementation Strategy: The National Horticulture Board, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will oversee the execution of the CPP.
• Primary Components:
  • Development of nine state-of-the-art Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) throughout India, featuring sophisticated diagnostic and tissue culture laboratories.
  • Establishment of a stringent certification system as per the Seeds Act 1966.

Additional Features:

• The CPP will extend substantial infrastructure support to large-scale nurseries to promote the efficient propagation of disease-free planting materials.
• Ensuring equitable access to these clean plant materials for all farmers, irrespective of their farm size or economic background, is a priority.
• The initiative will include active participation from women farmers in both planning and execution phases.

Anticipated Benefits:

• Farmers, nurseries, and consumers are expected to benefit significantly from the program, potentially boosting India’s agricultural exports.
• The availability of virus-free, superior-quality planting materials is projected to enhance farm yields and increase agricultural income.
• The CPP aims to reinforce India’s stature as a prominent fruit exporter globally, building on a decade of substantial growth in horticultural exports, which now exceed Rs 50,000 crore.
• This programme is aligned with the Mission LiFE and One Health initiatives, advocating for sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices while diminishing reliance on imported planting resources.

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• Framework and Coverage:
  • Initiated in 2014-15, MIDH is a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at fostering comprehensive growth in the horticulture sector.
  • It encompasses a wide array of horticultural commodities including fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, as well as non-traditional categories such as mushrooms, spices, flowers, and certain cash crops like coconut, cashew, and cocoa.
• Support and Collaboration:
  • MIDH offers technical guidance and administrative assistance to State Governments and State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) specifically for projects like the Saffron Mission and integrates with broader agricultural initiatives like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
• Goals and Objectives:
  • The mission is dedicated to improving crop yields and quality through superior planting materials and advanced resource management techniques.
  • It aims to mitigate post-harvest losses by enhancing infrastructure for storage, processing, and marketing to secure better returns for farmers.
  • MIDH promotes sustainable agricultural practices, including organic farming and integrated pest management, to foster eco-friendly farming.
  • The initiative includes extensive training and support for farmers to upgrade horticultural practices and boost economic outcomes.
  • It seeks to reinforce the agricultural supply chain to ensure more robust market access both domestically and internationally.

The Horticulture Sector in India: An Overview

• Scope and Contribution:
  • Horticulture in India encompasses the cultivation of a vast array of produce including fruits, vegetables, spices, and ornamental as well as medicinal and aromatic plants.
  • This sector contributes approximately 33% to the Agricultural Gross Value Added (AGVA) of the Indian economy, making India the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, next to China.

Production Insights for 2023-24:

• The total horticultural output for the year is projected at 352.23 million tonnes, marking a slight decline of 0.91% from the previous year.
• Despite the overall decrease, there has been notable production growth in specific categories such as fruits, honey, flowers, and other plantation crops.
• Detailed figures include:
  • Fruits: Estimated production of 112.63 million tonnes with increases observed in bananas, lime/lemon, mango, guava, and grapes.
  • Vegetables: Production tallied at 204.96 million tonnes.
  • Tomatoes: Recorded a production of 208.19 lakh tonnes, up by 1.93% from the previous year.

-Source: Indian Express