NEWS – The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to enhance horticulture in India. The loan will improve farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials. The initiative aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.

Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme

• Designed to address critical issues in horticulture by ensuring high-quality, virus-free planting materials.
• Key Goals:
  • Enhance crop yield: Improve productivity of horticulture crops.
  • Adopt climate-resilient varieties: Spread and promote varieties that can withstand climate challenges.
  • Ecosystem Protection: Implement proactive virus and disease control measures.

Programme Components

• Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Establishment of 9 world-class CPCs with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs.
• Certification System: Implementation of a robust certification system for accountability and traceability in the production and sale of planting material.
• Affordable Access:
  • Focus on ensuring affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers.
  • Engagement of Women Farmers: Actively involves women farmers in the programme.
• Regional Focus: Development of region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies suited to diverse agro-climatic conditions across India.

Programme Implementation

The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).