Context
Recently the Cabinet approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) with a budget of Rs 1,766 crore.
About
- It is part of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
- It was announced in the Budget Speech through the Finance Minister in February 2023.
- It seeks to set new standards for excellence and sustainability in horticulture.
- It might be carried out by the National Horticulture Board in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Components
- Clean Plant Centres (CPCs): For growing and imparting smooth planting materials.
- Nine modern CPCs can be established throughout India for superior diagnostics and virus-free planting materials.
- Certification and Legal Framework: To ensure quality and compliance.
- Implementation of a strong certification machine under the Seeds Act 1966 for accountability and traceability.
- Enhanced Infrastructure: To aid this system’s implementation.
- Support for big-scale nurseries to increase infrastructure for efficient multiplication of clean planting materials.
- Benefits: It aims to enhance the quality and productivity of fruit crops in India.
- Provides access to virus-free and first rate planting substances.
- Expected to enhance crop yields and farmer profit.
- Strengthens India’s role as a global exporter, expanding marketplace opportunities and increasing global exchange proportion.
- Supports Mission LiFE and One Health projects.
Overview of Horticulture Sector in India
- It has emerged as a vital aspect of the rural economy, contributing considerably to the country’s GDP and offering employment to tens of millions.
- With diverse agro-climatic situations, India is well-suited for the cultivation of a wide variety of horticultural crops, including culmination, veggies, flowers, spices, and medicinal flora.
- The horticulture production within the country in 2023-24 (Second Advance Estimates) is expected to be approximately 352.23 Million Tonnes, a decrease of about 32.51 Lakh Tonnes (0.91%) over 2022-23 (Final Estimates).
- Increase in production of Fruits, Honey, Flowers, Plantation Crops, Spices and Aromatics & Medicinal Plants is seen over 2023-24 (Final Estimates) while lower in Vegetables.
- Global Leadership: India is a world chief within the production of several fruits such as mango, banana, guava, papaya, sapota, pomegranate, lime, and aonla.
- Dominates inside the production of spices, coconut, and cashew nuts.
Importance
- It gives raw materials for various industries, inclusive of meals processing, prescribed drugs, and cosmetics, thereby producing extensive employment possibilities
- It plays a great function within the Indian economy by ensuring food security, presenting rural employment, diversifying farm activities, and improving farmers’ income.
- The horticulture sector contributes about 28% to the rural GDP of India
Challenges
- Infrastructure: Inadequate cold storage and transportation centers cause sizable put up-harvest losses.
- Market Access: Farmers regularly face problems in getting access to markets and getting truthful fees for their produce.
- Climate Change: Erratic weather styles and climate change pose a risk to horticultural production.
Government Initiatives
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): It aims for the holistic development of horticulture by increasing sector, production, and post-harvest infrastructure.
- MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented in States/UTs since 2014-15.
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): State governments’ horticulture development tasks are also supported under RKVY.
- The launch of the National Horticulture Mission has extensively boosted production and productivity.
- Horticulture Cluster Development Programme: Launched to promote incorporated and market-led improvement of horticulture clusters to decorate global competitiveness
Conclusion and Way Forward
- The horticulture sector in India holds immense potential for driving monetary growth and improving livelihoods.
- With supportive authorities policies, technological innovations, and a focal point on sustainable practices, the sector is poised for enormous advancements within the coming years.
- There is a need for adoption of current technologies such as precision farming, covered cultivation, and drip irrigation can enhance productivity and sustainability.
Source: The Indian Express
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (2018)