Government Approves Rs 1,766 Crore Clean Plant Programme to Boost Horticulture

The government has greenlit a Clean Plant Programme with an investment of Rs 1,766 crore to enhance the quality of planting material for horticultural crops. The initiative aims to boost exports and increase farmers' incomes by addressing virus infections and improving the overall quality and productivity of these crops.

The government has sanctioned a Clean Plant Programme, allocating Rs 1,766 crore to elevate the quality of planting material for horticultural crops. This strategic move, aimed at boosting exports and enhancing farmers' income, was approved during a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'A significant step has been taken to uplift farmers' earnings. The Cabinet has approved the Clean Plant Programme,' announced Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following the meeting. The programme, spearheaded by the Union Agriculture Ministry, seeks to mitigate virus infections in horticultural crops, which currently hinder both productivity and quality.

The initiative will establish nine clean plant centres and replicate clean mother planting material across 75 nurseries. This is expected to improve crop productivity and quality, promote crop diversification, and reduce risks for farmers. Currently, horticultural exports have surpassed Rs 50,000 crore in the last decade, signaling a vital income source for farmers and nutritional benefit for consumers. The Clean Plant Programme aims to address quality issues, bolster exports, and improve India's standing in the global horticulture market.