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Recently, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan agreement to enhance horticulture crop productivity by improving plant health management. This initiative is part of India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP), aiming to provide farmers with access to certified disease-free planting materials to improve yields, quality, and resilience, particularly against climate change impacts.

Key Highlights of the Loan Agreement

• Objective: Improve access to certified, disease-free planting materials for horticulture crops.
• Implementation: The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Focus: The initiative will enhance farmers’ productivity, resilience to climate change, and pest/disease management through the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP).

About the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP)

The Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme aims to tackle critical challenges in horticulture by ensuring farmers have access to high-quality, virus-free planting materials. The program is designed to:

• Enhance crop yields and quality.
• Promote climate-resilient varieties to help farmers adapt to rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
• Safeguard the environment by controlling plant diseases and pests proactively.

Key Components of the CPP

• Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Establishment of nine world-class CPCs across India, equipped with advanced diagnostic labs and tissue culture facilities to maintain disease-free foundation planting materials.
• Certification Framework: A robust certification system will be introduced to ensure accountability in planting material production, including accreditation for private nurseries.
• Climate Resilience: Focus on developing and disseminating climate-resilient plant varieties, addressing the growing concerns over extreme weather events and changing pest behavior due to climate change.

Significance of the Loan Agreement

• Climate Adaptation: The project will help farmers mitigate the effects of climate change, including unpredictable weather patterns and altered pest/disease behaviors.
• Economic Impact: The initiative aligns with India's vision of self-reliance in horticulture (Atmanirbhar Bharat), boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• Long-term Benefits: Improved farm productivity, sustainability, and economic well-being for farmers, especially in the face of climate change.

Global Horticulture Significance

• India’s Position: India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, contributing 33% to the agricultural GDP.
• Land Coverage: Horticulture occupies 18% of India’s agricultural land, yet its production surpasses that of food grains.

Implementation and Impact

• Implementation Period: The project will be executed from 2024 to 2030, with 50% financial assistance from ADB.
• Institutional Strengthening: The initiative will bolster India’s ability to manage plant health, integrating advanced diagnostic techniques and capacity-building for horticulture professionals.