Clean Plant Programme (CPP)-India's Horticulture Sector |UPSC

Clean Plant Programme (CPP) and India’s Horticulture Sector

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Context

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the Clean Plant Programme (CPP).

Details

The Clean Plant Programme (CPP) initiative was proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
With an investment of 1,765.67 crore, the CPP aims to transform the horticulture sector in India.
The CPP was first announced in the Budget Speech by the Finance Minister in February 2023.
It represents a major step forward in improving the quality and productivity of fruit crops across the country.

Core Components of the CPP

Clean Plant Centers (CPCs)
The programme will establish nine world-class Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) across India.

These centers will be equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities as well as tissue culture labs.
Each center will focus on different types of fruits:
Grapes (NRC, Pune)
Temperate Fruits like Apple, Almond, and Walnuts (CITH, Srinagar & Mukteshwar)
Citrus Fruits (CCRI, Nagpur & CIAH, Bikaner)
Mango, Guava, Avocado (IIHR, Bengaluru)
Mango, Guava, Litchi (CISH, Lucknow)
Pomegranate (NRC, Sholapur)
Tropical/Sub-Tropical Fruits in Eastern India

These centers will play a crucial role in producing and maintaining virus-free planting material for large-scale propagation.

Certification and Legal Framework

A robust certification system will be put in place to ensure that all planting material is thoroughly accountable and traceable. This will be supported by a regulatory framework under the Seeds Act of 1966.

Enhanced Infrastructure

The programme will provide support to large-scale nurseries for developing infrastructure. This will facilitate the efficient multiplication of clean planting material.

Implementation

The programme will be implemented by the National Horticulture Board in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Through this partnership, the CPP is set to drive transformative change in India's horticultural sector, marking a significant leap forward in the country’s agricultural landscape.
The Clean Plant Programme is poised to revolutionize India's horticulture sector, ensuring that farmers, consumers, and the global market benefit from high-quality, virus-free fruits.

READ ABOUT NATIONAL HORTICULTURE BOARD: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/national-horticulture-board#:~:text=The%20National%20Horticulture%20Board%20(NHB)%20was%20set%20up%20by%20the,with%20its%20headquarters%20at%20Gurugram.

READ ABOUT IARI: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indian-agricultural-research-institute

Inclusive and Sustainable Approach

The CPP is designed to ensure affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of their landholding size or socioeconomic status.
The programme will also actively engage women farmers in its planning and implementation.
This will ensure that they have access to resources, training, and decision-making opportunities.
Furthermore, the CPP will address the diverse agro-climatic conditions across India.
It will do so by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.

Integration with Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

The CPP complements the ongoing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated in 2014-15 aimed at the holistic growth of the horticulture sector.
MIDH covers a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, bamboo, and cocoa.

Under MIDH, several key measures are being undertaken

Plantation Infrastructure Development: Establishing nurseries and tissue culture units to produce quality seed and planting material.
Area Expansion: Creating new orchards and gardens for various crops, with or without integration (e.g., drip irrigation).
Rejuvenation: Revitalizing old, unproductive orchards.
Protected Cultivation: Setting up poly-houses, greenhouses, shade net houses, and walk-in tunnels, along with micro irrigation facilities.
Promotion of Organic Farming: Encouraging organic practices, certification, and establishing vermi compost units.
Creation of Water Resources: Developing community tanks, on-farm ponds, and water harvesting systems.
Pollination Support through Beekeeping: Producing bee colonies, honey bee hives, and related equipment.
Horticulture Mechanization: Providing power tillers, tractors, and plant protection equipment.
Human Resource Development: Conducting awareness programs, farmer training, exposure visits, and study tours.
Post-Harvest Management (PHM) Infrastructure: Setting up cold storage, pack houses, ripening chambers, reefer vehicles, processing units, and food processing facilities in North Eastern States.
Marketing Infrastructure: Developing static and mobile vending carts, retail outlets, rural markets, wholesale markets, and direct market platforms.

Alignment with Broader Initiatives

The Clean Plant Programme aligns with broader initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the One Health approach.
By promoting sustainable practices and reducing dependence on imported planting materials, the CPP represents a crucial step towards establishing India as a global leader in fruit production and export.

DETAILED ARTICLES ON Mission LiFE :

https://www.iasgyan.in/ias-gazette-magazine/perspective-mission-life-lifestyle-for-the-environment-life-movement-and-climate-change

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/mission-life-2#:~:text=Mission%20LiFE%20is%20an%20India,protect%20and%20preserve%20the%20environment.

Key Benefits of the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

For Farmers

The CPP will give farmers access to virus-free and high-quality planting material.
This will lead to higher crop yields and better income opportunities.

For Nurseries

The programme will streamline certification processes and provide infrastructure support to nurseries.
This will enable nurseries to efficiently propagate clean planting material, which is essential for sustainable growth.

For Consumers

Consumers will enjoy the benefits of superior produce that is free from viruses.
This will enhance the taste, appearance, and nutritional value of fruits.

For Exports

By producing higher-quality, disease-free fruits, India will strengthen its position as a leading global exporter.
This will open up new market opportunities and increase India’s share in the international fruit trade.

Closing Remarks

Clean Plant Programme (CPP) stands as a transformative initiative poised to significantly elevate India's horticulture sector.
By improving the quality and sustainability of fruit production and enhancing the country’s export capabilities, the CPP is set to reinforce India’s position as a global leader in the fruit trade.
Furthermore, its inclusive approach, which ensures equitable access to resources and actively involves women farmers, highlights the programme’s dedication to fostering broad-based growth and development within the sector.

INDIA’S HORTICULTURE SECTOR

India is recognized as the second-largest producer of vegetables and fruits worldwide, ranking first in the production of several key crops, including Banana, Lime & Lemon, Papaya, and Okra.
The horticulture sector plays a crucial role in India's agricultural landscape, contributing significantly to the country's economy.

Horticulture Production in 2022-23 (Final Estimates)

Total Production:

In the 2022-23 period, India's horticulture production reached approximately 48 million tonnes, reflecting an increase of 8.30 million tonnes (2.39%) compared to 2021-22.
This growth was accompanied by a 41% increase in the cultivation area, amounting to an additional 0.40 million hectares.

Fruit Production:

Fruit production in 2022-23 was estimated at 21 million tonnes, driven by higher yields in Apple, Banana, Grapes, Mango, and Watermelon.

Vegetable Production:

Vegetable production saw an increase from 14 million tonnes in 2021-22 to 212.55 million tonnes in 2022-23. The growth was observed across most vegetables except for Chillies (Green), Onion, Radish, Tapioca, and Tomato.
Onion: Production decreased to 08 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, compared to 316.87 lakh tonnes in the previous year.
Potato: Production increased to approximately 42 lakh tonnes from 561.76 lakh tonnes in 2021-22.
Tomato: Production slightly decreased to 25 lakh tonnes from 206.94 lakh tonnes in 2021-22.

Key Facts

The topographical features of India are advantageous for a wide range of horticulture products.
Horticulture contributes over 30% to agricultural GDP.
Only 10% of the land in India is used for horticulture, which accounts for 33% of the agricultural value.
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are major states for production of fruits & vegetables and Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are major states producing nearly 50% of floriculture products.

Horticulture Schemes and Initiatives

India's horticulture sector, vital for both the economy and nutrition, has seen significant enhancements through various government schemes and initiatives.
These programs are designed to address diverse challenges and unlock the sector's potential, focusing on improving crop quality, expanding production, and ensuring market access.

National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

Launched in 2005, the NHM is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at promoting holistic growth of the horticulture sector.
It focuses on enhancing horticulture production, improving nutritional security, and providing income support to farmers.
The mission covers a wide range of horticulture crops and provides support for various activities including area expansion, rejuvenation of old orchards, protected cultivation, and post-harvest management.

Enhanced Support for Horticulture Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Under the PMFBY guidelines, the premium contribution for farmers is capped at 2% for Kharif crops, 5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops.
This support underscores the government’s commitment to protecting horticultural crops, reflecting their importance and the need for targeted insurance solutions to safeguard this vital sector.

READ MORE ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/pradhan-mantri-fasal-bima-yojana-pmfby

Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP)

The HCDP is designed to leverage geographical specialization and promote integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters.
By focusing on identified crops in specific regions, it aims to optimize productivity through better utilization of resources.
The program targets an increase in exports of the focus crops and seeks to improve the competitiveness of Indian horticulture products in the global market.

Post-Harvest Infrastructure Development Scheme

This scheme addresses the critical issue of post-harvest losses in the horticulture sector.
It provides support for establishing modern post-harvest facilities such as pack houses, ripening chambers, cold storage units, and processing facilities.
By improving post-harvest management, the scheme aims to reduce wastage, extend the shelf life of produce, and ensure better returns for farmers.

Soil Health Card Scheme

While not exclusive to horticulture, this scheme significantly benefits horticultural farmers.
It involves testing soil samples and providing farmers with soil health cards containing crop-wise recommendations for nutrients and fertilizers.
This enables farmers to make informed decisions about soil management, potentially leading to improved crop yields and reduced input costs.

Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH)

This mission focuses on the comprehensive development of horticulture in the North Eastern states and Himalayan regions.
It takes into account the unique agro-climatic conditions of these areas and promotes crops that are particularly suited to these regions, aiming to improve farmers' livelihoods and promote sustainable horticulture practices.

Critical Constraints in the Horticulture Sector

India stands as the second-largest producer of horticultural products globally. However, despite this significant production capacity, India's share in the global horticultural trade is less than 2%.
This disparity highlights a crucial gap between production and global market penetration.
India's horticulture sector faces several challenges that impede its growth and global competitiveness. These constraints need to be addressed through strategic interventions to unlock the sector's full potential.

Net Importer of Fruits and Vegetables

Despite its vast production, India continues to be a net importer of fruits and vegetables. This situation underscores the untapped potential for India to enhance its horticultural production, not only to meet growing domestic demand but also to capture a larger share of the global market.

Tariff Barriers and Competitive Advantage

Many horticultural commodities face tariff walls of up to 40%, which limits India's competitiveness in the global market.

Production Challenges

Soil and Water Health:

Farming practices since the Green Revolution have led to significant deterioration in soil and water health.
The heavy reliance on urea-centric production has negatively impacted soil health management, leading to nutrient deficiencies.
India’s use of fertilisers per hectare is 66% higher than that of the USA, which further exacerbates soil degradation.

Low Adoption of Bio-Stimulants:

India's use of bio-stimulants is only 2 kg per hectare, which is just 4% of what Brazil uses. This low adoption rate hampers the potential for boosting crop yields and achieving commodity-export-led growth similar to Brazil.

Inadequate Inputs:

The scarcity of quality seeds, planting materials, and crop protection products has adversely affected crop yields. This inadequacy in inputs is a significant barrier to achieving higher productivity in the horticulture sector.

Irrigation and Credit Constraints:

Smallholder farmers face challenges related to irrigation and access to credit, which limit the application of modern technology in farming.
This includes constraints in mechanisation, which is crucial for improving efficiency and productivity.

Limited Government Intervention:

The scale of government intervention in the horticulture sector is marginal compared to the needs of the sector.
This limitation underscores the necessity for increased involvement from the private sector.

Post-Harvest and Processing Challenges

India's post-harvest and processing infrastructure faces several significant constraints that hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of the horticulture sector.

Limited Post-Harvest Facilities

Cold Storage: The availability of cold storage facilities in India is inadequate, with most of the infrastructure dedicated to storing potatoes. This limitation affects the ability to store and preserve a wide range of horticultural products, leading to increased post-harvest losses.
Government Initiatives: The GOI has made notable commitments and investments to develop storage infrastructure through various schemes. However, there remains a need for expanded and enhanced infrastructure to cover a broader range of horticultural products.

Research and Development (R&D) Shortfalls

Processable Varieties: There is a significant shortfall in research and development for processable horticulture varieties. The lack of innovation in developing varieties suited for processing impacts the overall effectiveness of processing facilities.
Capacity Utilisation: Processing facilities in India are currently operating at only 25 to 30% of their capacity. This underutilization highlights the need for increased investment and development in processing infrastructure.

Market Intelligence

Challenges of Gluts and Scarcity: India frequently faces issues of gluts and scarcities in horticultural crops, leading to market instability.

Exports

Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers: Indian horticultural products face significant barriers in developed countries, including tariff walls and non-tariff barriers related to phytosanitary requirements.
Overcoming these challenges is essential for expanding export opportunities.

Addressing Key Challenges

To achieve sustained growth in the horticulture sector, India needs to address several key challenges:

Production and Productivity: Enhancing the efficiency and output of horticultural crops.
Post-Harvest and Processing: Improving the infrastructure and technology for processing and storing horticultural products.
Market Intelligence: Developing robust market intelligence systems to better understand domestic and global market trends.
Marketing and Logistics: Streamlining marketing channels and logistics to ensure efficient distribution and export.
Export-Related Constraints: Reducing barriers and improving conditions for exporting horticultural products.

By addressing these challenges and leveraging its production capabilities, India can significantly enhance its role in the global horticultural trade, transforming from a net importer to a leading exporter in the sector.

Opportunities for Growth

There is considerable scope for India to ramp up its horticultural production.
By targeting both increased domestic and global demand, India can strengthen its position in the global market.
This requires a strategic focus on various aspects of the horticulture value chain.

Year-round competitive advantage

To overcome the challenge of tariff barrier, India must convert its seasonal comparative advantage into a year-round competitive advantage. This shift can help India better navigate tariff barriers and enhance its global market presence.

Private Sector Participation:

The private sector can play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges in the horticulture sector. Key areas where private sector involvement can make a difference include:

Quality Planting Material:

Improving the availability of high-quality seeds and planting materials.

Digitisation and Agtech Services:

Enhancing digitisation efforts and providing advanced agricultural technology (Agtech) services to farmers.

Crop Advisory and Input Purchase:

Offering solutions related to crop advisory, input purchase, and mechanisation to farmers on a large scale.

Credit Fulfilment:

Addressing the credit needs of farmers, ensuring they have access to necessary financial resources.

Micro Irrigation and Watershed Management:

Promoting micro irrigation and watershed management systems is essential for sustainable water use and improving irrigation efficiency. These practices can significantly enhance productivity, especially in water-scarce regions.

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs):

FPOs can serve as crucial facilitator platforms for the widespread delivery of services to farmers.
They can help in aggregating demand, ensuring better access to inputs, and improving market linkages for smallholder farmers.

Agtech and Automation:

Advances in agricultural technology (Agtech) are facilitating the automation of warehousing and logistics activities.
These innovations aim to improve efficiency and reduce losses in the post-harvest phase.

Supply-Related Security and Infrastructure

Supply of Processable Varieties: Ensuring a consistent supply of processable varieties throughout the year is crucial to encourage investment in processing facilities. Without reliable supply, investments in processing infrastructure may not be fully realized.
Storage Life Extension: Developing effective post-harvest infrastructure is essential for extending the storage life of horticultural products. Improved infrastructure can help in reducing spoilage and waste, thereby enhancing overall productivity.

Packaging and Nutrition Losses

Packaging Ecosystem: There is a need to develop and enhance the packaging ecosystem to better preserve horticultural products during storage and transportation. Effective packaging can reduce damage and spoilage, leading to better quality products reaching the market.
Post-Harvest Nutrition Losses: Addressing post-harvest nutrition losses is critical. Implementing strategies to minimize these losses can help maintain the nutritional value of horticultural products and improve their overall quality.

To address the challenges in post-harvest and processing, India must focus on expanding and modernizing its storage and processing infrastructure. Investing in R&D for processable varieties, enhancing cold storage facilities, and developing a robust packaging ecosystem are essential steps. Additionally, improving the efficiency of processing facilities and reducing post-harvest nutrition losses will contribute to the sector’s growth and its competitiveness in the global market.

Development of Market Intelligence Systems:

There is a need to develop advanced market intelligence systems that can provide real-time data and forecasts.
This will help farmers make informed decisions about production and reduce the risk of market imbalances.

Role of FPOs:

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can serve as effective aggregation platforms for market intelligence.
By consolidating data and resources, FPOs can help farmers access valuable market information and negotiate better prices.

READ ALL ABOUT FPOs: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/farmer-producer-organization-33#:~:text=FPO%20stands%20for%20Farmer%20Producer,other%20aspects%20of%20agriculture%20inputs.

Quality and Compliance:

Ensuring high-quality produce and compliance with international standards is vital for promoting Indian fruits and vegetables in the global market.
This includes adherence to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), sea protocols, and traceability systems.

Infrastructure for Export:

Developing post-harvest and logistics infrastructure is key to facilitating the evacuation of marketable surplus.
Effective infrastructure will help prevent distress sales during harvest by improving the efficiency of moving products to market.

Development of Agtech Services:

Both supply and demand sides of agtech services need to be developed.
Innovations such as drones for monitoring, financial service platforms, and irrigation management through Internet of Things (IoT) devices are crucial.

Emerging Technologies:

Irrigation Management: IoT devices can optimize irrigation practices, improving water use efficiency and crop yields.
Pest and Disease Management: Artificial intelligence (AI) models can enhance the management of pests, diseases, and soil health, leading to better crop outcomes.

Comprehensive Agtech Solutions:

A holistic approach to agtech development, integrating various technologies, will support both the supply and demand aspects of the horticulture sector.
This integration can improve productivity, reduce losses, and enhance overall farm management.

Conclusion

India must invest in advanced systems and infrastructure to enhance horticulture by developing market intelligence, overcoming export barriers, and embracing agtech.
These strategic efforts will help farmers navigate market fluctuations, expand exports, and boost productivity.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Examine the key challenges facing India's horticulture sector and suggest measures to enhance its growth and competitiveness.

SOURCE: PIB