{"id":7491,"date":"2025-09-27T13:07:51","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T07:37:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=7491"},"modified":"2025-09-27T13:07:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T07:37:51","slug":"seeds-of-the-future-clean-plant-programme-gaining-momentum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=7491","title":{"rendered":"Seeds of the Future: Clean Plant Programme Gaining Momentum"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Seeds of the Future: Clean Plant Programme Gaining Momentum<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nTransforming Indian Horticulture with Disease-Free Planting Material<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Posted On: 21 SEP 2025 9:56AM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There are growing challenges posed by climate change, as well as biotic and abiotic threats to plant health. These challenges directly translate into agricultural losses, reducing farmers\u2019 income and overall productivity. India has invested significantly in boosting farm productivity, yet\u00a0systemic pathogens\u00a0(primarily viruses) continue to pose a\u00a0major threat, causing significant yield losses. These pathogens reduce crop quantity, quality and longevity. By the time symptoms appear, it is often impossible for farmers to manage diseases in the field. Starting with\u00a0disease-free planting materials\u00a0has therefore been recognized as the most effective strategy to combat these challenges.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

To address this, the importance of preventive measures such as\u00a0ensuring high standards in seed quality and implementing clean plant programmes- have been widely recognised. Such measures not only safeguard plant health but also come with the added advantage of being free from adverse side effects. Accordingly,\u00a0on 9th<\/sup>\u00a0August 2024, the Union Cabinet\u00a0approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)\u00a0proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Overview: The Imperative for Clean Planting Material<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Clean Plant Programme (CPP)\u00a0was launched as a major initiative to provide farmers with\u00a0access to high-quality, virus-free planting material.\u00a0<\/em>The National Horticulture Board (NHB) serves as an implementing and executing agency in association with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which oversees technical progress and facilitates capacity building. The initiative involves a significant investment of\u00a0\u20b91,765.67 crore, which also includes an Asian Development Bank approved loan of\u00a0$98 million\u00a0in December 2023.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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What is CPP?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

India\u2019s Clean Plant Program (CPP), conceptualized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, is a novel initiative aimed at ensuring healthy, disease-free planting material of key fruit crops. The program seeks to enhance farmers\u2019 productivity and profitability, ultimately boosting India\u2019s global competitiveness.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The initiative has started to take its shape with the following planned developments:<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n