Why in news?

The Cabinet has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP), with an outlay of Rs 1,766 crore, under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

What’s in today’s article?

• Horticulture sector in India
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
• Clean Plant Programme to boost horticulture sector

Horticulture sector in India

• About
  • Horticulture is the practice of producing, utilizing, and enhancing fruits, vegetables, spices, condiments, ornamental plants, plantation crops, and medicinal and aromatic plants.
  • It contributes about 33% to agriculture Gross Value Added to Indian economy.
  • India is the second largest producer of vegetables and fruits in world after China.
• Performance in 2023-24
  • India's horticulture production in 2023-24 is estimated to be 352.23 million tonnes, which is a 0.91% decrease from 2022-23.
  • However, there are some increases in production, including fruits, honey, flowers, plantation crops, spices and aromatics, and medicinal plants.
    • Fruits: 112.63 million tonnes, with increases in banana, lime/lemon, mango, guava, and grapes
    • Vegetables: 204.96 million tonnes
    • Tomatoes: 208.19 lakh tonnes, which is a 1.93% increase from 2022-23

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

• About
  • MIDH, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented w.e.f. 2014-15 for holistic growth of the horticulture sector.
  • It covers fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa.
  • MIDH also provides technical advice and administrative support to State Governments/ State Horticulture Missions (SHMs) for the Saffron Mission and other horticulture related activities Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)/NMSA.
• Objectives
  • Enhancing Production and Productivity
    • Focuses on improving the yield and quality of horticultural crops through better planting materials, efficient resource management, and modern technologies.
  • Post-Harvest Management
    • Emphasizes reducing post-harvest losses by developing infrastructure for storage, processing, and marketing, ensuring better value for farmers.
  • Promoting Sustainable Practices
    • Encourages the adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly practices in horticulture, including organic farming and integrated pest management.
  • Capacity Building
    • Provides training and technical support to farmers, helping them adopt modern horticultural practices and improve their income.
  • Market Access
    • Aims to strengthen the supply chain, ensuring that farmers have better access to domestic and international markets.
• Key Components
  • National Horticulture Mission (NHM) - Focuses on the development of horticulture in states and union territories.
  • Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) - Addresses the specific needs of the northeastern and Himalayan regions.
  • National Bamboo Mission (NBM) - Promoting bamboo cultivation and its value chain.
  • Coconut Development Board (CDB) - Development of the coconut sector.
  • Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH): It was established at Medzipehima, Nagaland in 2006-07 for providing technical back stopping through capacity building and training of farmers and Field functionaries in the North Eastern Region.

Clean Plant Programme to boost horticulture sector

• Clean Plant Programme (CPP) approved
  • The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, approved the CPP with an outlay of Rs 1,766 crore to revolutionize India's horticulture sector.
  • The programme, proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, aims to enhance the quality and productivity of fruit crops across the nation.
  • It was earlier announced in the Budget speech by finance minister in February 2023.
  • The CPP will address virus infections in horticultural crops, affecting both productivity and quality.
• Implemented by: National Horticulture Board in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Key components of the programme
  • establishment of nine world-class Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) across India, equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs; and
  • implementation of a robust certification system under the Seeds Act 1966.
• Other features of the programme
  • CPP includes infrastructure support to large-scale nurseries for efficient multiplication of clean planting material.
  • The programme will prioritise affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of their landholding size or socioeconomic status.
  • It will also actively engage women farmers in its planning and implementation.
• Benefits
  • The CPP is expected to benefit farmers, nurseries, consumers, and boost exports.
    • It will provide farmers access to virus-free, high-quality planting material, leading to increased crop yields and improved income opportunities.
    • Horticultural exports have increased to over Rs 50,000 crore in last ten years.
  • The initiative aligns with Mission LiFE and the One Health initiatives, promoting sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices while reducing dependence on imported planting materials.