Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme: Boosting India’s Horticulture Sector

Context (PIB):
The Government of India, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has signed a loan agreement aimed at enhancing plant health management in the horticulture sector. This initiative aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme and focuses on providing farmers with disease-free planting materials.

Implementing Agencies

The programme is executed by:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• National Horticulture Board (NHB)
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Key Objectives

1. Improving Horticulture Yields:
   The programme aims to increase the productivity of horticultural crops by ensuring the availability of certified, disease-free planting materials.
2. Promoting Climate-Resilient Varieties:
   It encourages the development and use of plant varieties that can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change.
3. Ecosystem Protection:
   The initiative incorporates advanced virus and disease control strategies to safeguard the surrounding ecosystem.

Key Components

1. Establishment of Clean Plant Centers (CPCs):
   • Nine state-of-the-art CPCs will be established.
   • These centers will feature cutting-edge diagnostic tools, therapeutic facilities, and tissue culture laboratories.
2. Certification System:
   • A robust certification system will be introduced to ensure accountability and traceability in the production and distribution of planting materials.
3. Affordable and Inclusive Access:
   • The programme emphasizes making clean planting materials affordable and accessible, particularly to women farmers.
   • Region-specific plant varieties will be developed to cater to diverse agro-climatic conditions across India.