India's Fruit Revolution: Cabinet Clears ₹1,765 Crore Clean Plant Program

New Delhi- The Union Cabinet has recently given clearance for the implementation of the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) worth 1,765.67 crores. The new initiative will assist in increasing the productivity of fruit crops in the country.

The CPP was proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It has the potential to revolutionise the horticulture sector in India.

The programme will provide disease-free planting materials to farmers which will result in higher crop yields and better returns. It will also enable nurseries to grow and sell clean planting materials due to the streamlined certification processes and infrastructure support.

It is anticipated that this initiative will benefit the consumers by providing them with superior produce free of viruses. This will enhance the taste, appearance, and nutritional value of various fruits. The programme will also enable India to enhance its export of fruits and strengthen its position as a leading global exporter.

The Clean Plant Programme will prioritize affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, including those of small and medium sizes. It will also provide training and decision-making opportunities to women farmers. The programme will also address the diverse agro-climatic conditions of India by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.

The new initiative will establish nine state-of-the-art Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) across India. These centres will be equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs. They will work towards producing and maintaining virus-free planting material for large-scale nurseries.

The CPP also proposes to set up a robust certification system under the Seeds Act 1966 to ensure proper accountability and traceability in planting material production and sale. The government is also planning to provide support to the large-scale nurseries for the development of infrastructure, which will enable them to efficiently multiply clean planting material.

The Clean Plant Programme is expected to significantly boost the country's horticultural sector and play a major role in promoting sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture practices. This initiative will also reduce the country's reliance on imported planting materials. It is hoped that this programme will make India a leading global exporter of fruits and contribute to the overall growth of the agricultural sector.