12 August 2024, New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the Clean Plant Programme (CPP), a groundbreaking initiative proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. With an impressive investment of Rs. 1,765.67 crores, this ambitious program aims to bring transformative changes to India’s horticulture sector, setting new benchmarks for quality and sustainability.
First announced in the Budget Speech by the Finance Minister in February 2023, the CPP represents a significant leap forward in improving the quality and productivity of fruit crops nationwide. The initiative is poised to offer substantial benefits across various sectors:
For Farmers: The CPP will provide access to virus-free, high-quality planting material, leading to higher crop yields and better income opportunities. This will play a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
For Nurseries: The program will introduce streamlined certification processes and provide infrastructure support, enabling nurseries to efficiently propagate clean planting material, thereby promoting growth and sustainability within the sector.
For Consumers: The CPP ensures that consumers receive superior, virus-free produce, enhancing the taste, appearance, and nutritional value of fruits. This will improve the overall quality of fruits available in the market.
For Exports: By producing higher-quality, disease-free fruits, the program will strengthen India’s position as a leading global exporter, opening up new market opportunities and increasing the country’s share in the international fruit trade.
One of the core objectives of the CPP is to make clean plant material affordable and accessible to all farmers, irrespective of their landholding size or socioeconomic status. The program also emphasizes the active participation of women farmers, ensuring they have access to resources, training, and decision-making opportunities.
Recognizing the diverse agro-climatic conditions across India, the CPP will focus on developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies. Central to the program’s success will be the establishment of nine world-class Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) across the country. These centers, equipped with advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and tissue culture laboratories, will specialize in producing and maintaining virus-free planting material for large-scale propagation. The CPCs will be strategically located at:
Grapes (NRC, Pune)
Temperate Fruits such as Apple, Almond, and Walnuts (CITH, Srinagar & Mukteshwar)
Citrus Fruits (CCRI, Nagpur & CIAH, Bikaner)
Mango/Guava/Avocado (IIHR, Bengaluru)
Mango/Guava/Litchi (CISH, Lucknow)
Pomegranate (NRC, Sholapur)
Tropical/Sub-Tropical Fruits in Eastern India
To ensure thorough accountability and traceability in the production and sale of planting material, a robust certification system will be implemented, supported by a regulatory framework under the Seeds Act of 1966. Additionally, large-scale nurseries will receive infrastructure support to facilitate the efficient multiplication of clean planting material.
The Clean Plant Programme is poised to significantly boost India’s horticultural sector, aligning with the Mission LiFE and One Health initiatives by promoting sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices. This initiative is expected to reduce dependence on imported planting materials and position India as a leading global exporter of fruits, driving transformative change across the sector.
The National Horticulture Board, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will oversee the implementation of this program, ensuring its success and long-term impact on the nation’s agriculture.
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