Source: ET
Context: India and ADB have signed a $98 million loan to boost horticulture productivity by providing disease-free planting materials under the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.
About Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme:
- Origin: Announced in Budget 2023-24 with an allocation of ₹2,200 crore for seven years until 2030.
- Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme is implemented under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
- Aim:
- Increase horticulture yield.
- Promote climate-resilient and disease-free plant varieties.
- Enhance productivity and profitability for farmers.
- Features:
- Establishment of 10 world-class Clean Plant Centres (CPCs) for fruits like apple, walnut, almond, mango, and pomegranate.
- The centres will be fully funded by the Centre
- Advanced diagnostic labs and tissue culture technologies for disease control.
- Affordable access to high-quality planting material, including a robust certification and traceability system.
- Active engagement with women farmers and region-specific technologies.
- Implementing Agency:
- Anchored by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) in partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Operates in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode with research organizations, agriculture universities, and private sector partners.
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