Clean Plant Programme

Why in news?

The Union Cabinet today approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

vWith a substantial investment of Rs.1,765.67 crore, this pioneering initiative is set to revolutionize the horticulture sector in India and expected to set new standards for excellence and sustainability.

About Clean Plant Programme

The Program will be launched to boost availability of disease-free, quality planting material for high value horticultural crops.

The Program will aim to -

vEnhance the yield of horticulture crops,

vDisseminate and adopt climate resilient varieties,

vProtect the ecosystem through proactive virus and disease control measures.

The programme will be anchored by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) which in turn will set up Clean Plant Centers across the country and ensure the global competitiveness of the Indian horticulture sector.

The centers will work with the stakeholders so that they adopt clean plant seeds and nurseries.

Key Benefits of the Clean Plant Programme (CPP):

Farmers: The CPP will provide access to virus-free, high-quality planting material, leading to increased crop yields and improved income opportunities.

Nurseries: Streamlined certification processes and infrastructure support will enable nurseries to efficiently propagate clean planting material, fostering growth and sustainability.

Consumers: The initiative will ensure that consumers benefit from superior produce that is free from viruses, enhancing the taste, appearance, and nutritional value of fruits.

Exports: By producing higher-quality, disease-free fruits, India will strengthen its position as a leading global exporter, expanding market opportunities and increasing its share in the international fruit trade.

vThe Programme will prioritize affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of their landholding size or socioeconomic status.

vThe Programme will actively engage women farmers in its planning and implementation, ensuring their access to resources, training and decision-making opportunities.

vThe Programme will address the diverse agro-climatic conditions across India by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.

Core Components of the CPP:

Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Nine world class state-of-the-art CPCs, equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs, will be established across India.

These include:

1Grapes (NRC, Pune),

2Temperate Fruits - Apple, Almond, Walnuts etc. (CITH, Srinagar &Mukteshwar),

3Citrus Fruits (CCRI, Nagpur & CIAH, Bikaner),

4Mango/Guava/Avacado (IIHR, Bangaluru),

5Mango/Guava/Litchi (CISH, Lucknow),

6Pomegranate (NRC, Sholapur) and

7Tropical/Sub-Tropical Fruits in Eastern India

These centers will play a crucial role in producing and maintaining virus-free planting material meant for larger propagation.

Certification and Legal Framework: A robust certification system will be implemented, supported by a regulatory framework under the Seeds Act 1966, to ensure thorough accountability and traceability in planting material production and sale.

Enhanced Infrastructure: Support will be provided to large-scale nurseries for the development of infrastructure, facilitating the efficient multiplication of clean planting material.