Clean Plant Programme

Aug. 10, 2024

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

About Clean Plant Programme:

  • It will prioritize affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of their landholding size or socioeconomic status.
  • The Programme will actively engage women farmers in its planning and implementation, ensuring their access to resources, training and decision-making opportunities.
  • It will also address the diverse agro-climatic conditions across India by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.
  • Core Components
    • Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Nine world-class state-of-the-art CPCs, equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs, will be established across India.
    • These include Grapes (NRC, Pune), Temperate Fruits - Apple, Almond, Walnuts (CITH, Srinagar &Mukteshwar), Citrus Fruits (CCRI, Nagpur & CIAH, Bikaner), Mango/Guava/Avacado (IIHR, Bengaluru), Mango/Guava/Litchi (CISH, Lucknow), Pomegranate (NRC, Sholapur) and Tropical/Sub-Tropical Fruits in Eastern India.
    • These centers will play a crucial role in producing and maintaining virus-free planting material meant for larger propagation.
    • Certification and Legal Framework:A robust certification system will be implemented, supported by a regulatory framework under the Seeds Act 1966, to ensure thorough accountability and traceability in planting material production and sale.
    • Enhanced Infrastructure: Support will be provided to large-scale nurseries for the development of infrastructure, facilitating the efficient multiplication of clean planting material.
  • Implementation: This programme will be implemented by the National Horticulture Board in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).