India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Partner to Boost Plant Health Management

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to promote plant health management in India’s horticulture.

• The loan agreement is to support India’s Atma Nirbhar Clean Plant Programme.

About Atma Nirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CCP):

• Announced: It was announced in the Union Budget of 2023-24 under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to boost the horticulture sector. 
• Objective: To improve farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials, increasing crop yields, quality, and resilience to climate impacts.
• Implementing Agencies: The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: The project involves consultations with private nurseries, researchers, state governments, and growers’ associations for its successful implementation.

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• Establishment of Clean Plant Centres: Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): They are the core components of the CPP. 
  • The project will establish centres to maintain disease-free planting materials, equipped with laboratories and trained experts.
  • Advanced CPCs will be established across India, each focusing on specific fruit types. 
  • These centers will be equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including tissue culture labs. 
• Clean Plant Certification Scheme: The initiative will roll out a certification scheme under the Seeds Act of 1966  to test and accredit private nurseries for disease-free planting materials.
• Alignment with Broader Initiatives: The Clean Plant Programme aligns with broader initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the One Health approach.

About Plant Health Management

• Plant health management is the science and practice of protecting plants from diseases, pests, and environmental stressors. It aims to maintain plant health, productivity, and quality.
• Principles of Plant Health Management
• • Exclusion: Preventing the introduction of pests and diseases to new areas.
  • Eradication: Eliminating existing pests and diseases.
  • Protection: Shielding plants from pests and diseases using physical barriers or chemical treatments.
  • Resistance: Utilizing plant varieties with natural resistance to pests and diseases.
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A comprehensive approach combining multiple strategies to manage pests in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

Key Government Schemes to Revolutionise India’s Horticulture Sector

• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
  • Objective: MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at the holistic growth of the horticulture sector. 
  • Implementing Ministry: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been implementing MIDH since 2014-15.
  • Part of Green Revolution: MIDH is implemented under the Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana.
  • Funding Pattern
    • General States: The Government of India (GoI) contributes 60% of the total outlay for developmental programmes, while State Governments contribute 40%.
    • North Eastern and Himalayan States: For these regions, GoI contributes 90% of the total outlay, with State Governments contributing the remaining 10%.

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• Sub Schemes of MIDH:
  • National Horticulture Mission (NHM): Launched in 2005, the NHM is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at promoting the holistic growth of the horticulture sector. 
  • Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH): The HMNEH focuses on the comprehensive development of horticulture in the North Eastern and Himalayan regions. 
    • It promotes crops suited to the unique agro-climatic conditions of these areas, aiming to improve farmers’ livelihoods and promote sustainable horticulture practices.
• Enhanced Support for Horticulture Under PMFBY: Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), premium contributions for farmers are capped at:
  • 2% for Kharif crops
  • 1.5% for Rabi crops
  • 5% for commercial and horticultural crops
• Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (HCDP): The HCDP promotes integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters based on geographical specialization.
  • It focuses on identified crops in specific regions, aiming to optimize productivity, increase exports, and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian horticulture products.
• Post-Harvest Infrastructure Development Scheme: This scheme addresses post-harvest losses by providing support for modern facilities, such as pack houses, ripening chambers, cold storage units, and processing facilities.
• Soil Health Card Scheme: Though not exclusive to horticulture, this scheme significantly benefits horticultural farmers. 
  • It involves soil testing and provides health cards with crop-wise recommendations on nutrients and fertilizers, helping farmers make informed decisions, potentially improving yields and reducing input costs.