NEWS – The Government of India has come up with a new platform – CDP-SURAKSHA – to disburse subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).

HIGHLIGHTS
The CDP-SURAKSHA is a digital platform designed to facilitate the disbursal of subsidies to horticulture farmers. It stands for “System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance.” The platform utilizes e-RUPI vouchers from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for instant subsidy disbursal to farmers’ bank accounts.

Here’s how the CDP-SURAKSHA works:

• Farmers, vendors, implementing agencies (IA), cluster development agencies (CDAs), and officials of the National Horticulture Board (NHB) can access the platform.
• Farmers can log in using their mobile numbers and place orders for planting materials like seeds, seedlings, and plants.
• The system prompts farmers to contribute their share of the material cost, with government subsidies automatically reflected on the screen.
• After the farmer pays their share, an e-RUPI voucher is generated and received by the vendor, who then supplies the materials to the farmer.
• Farmers verify material delivery through geo-tagged photos and videos, after which the IA releases payment to the vendor via the e-RUPI voucher.
• The IA collects all necessary documents and shares them with the CDA for subsidy release, ensuring transparency and accountability in the subsidy process.
• Farmers who initiated the demand can avail of the subsidy at the initial stage of material purchase.

 WHAT IS E-RUPI?

• It’s a one-time payment mechanism from NPCI.
• Redeemable without cards, digital apps, or internet banking.
• Shared via SMS or QR code for specific purposes.

HOW IS THE NEW SYSTEM DIFFERENT?

• Old system: Farmers buy materials and request subsidies later.
• CDP-SURAKSHA: Provides upfront subsidies during material purchase.
• Vendors receive payment after farmers verify delivery.

FARMERS AND BANKS ON BOARD:

• Around 8,400 farmers registered on CDP-SURAKSHA.
• 4 banks (HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Bank of Baroda) generate e-RUPI vouchers.

WHAT IS THE CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CDP)?

• NHB’s scheme promoting horticulture cluster development.
• Aimed at integrated development and market-led activities.
• Covers 55 clusters, attracting private investment and government assistance based on cluster size.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CDP-SURAKSHA?

The total production of horticulture crops in India has spiked from 240.53 million tonnes (in 2010-11) to 334.60 million tonnes in 2020-21. The move seeks to push the growth of India’s horticulture sector, which contributes nearly one-third to the agriculture gross value addition (GVA), making a substantial contribution to the Indian economy.