The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a US$98 million loan agreement aimed at improving plant health management in India’s horticulture sector. The funding will support the promotion of disease-free planting materials, which are expected to improve crop yields, quality, and resilience to climate impacts for farmers.
The agreement for the Building India’s Clean Plant Programme was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India, and Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
Objective of the Loan
Mukherjee emphasized that the ADB funding would help promote plant health, which is essential for boosting productivity among farmers. The project aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP), aiming to enhance plant health management through the development of a regulatory framework and institutional systems. The program will involve consultations with private nurseries, researchers, state governments, and growers’ associations to ensure its success and long-term sustainability.
Impact of Climate Change on Plant Health
The plant health management initiatives funded by the loan will also support farmers in adapting to climate change. Rising temperatures are contributing to extreme weather events and altering pest and disease patterns, which can negatively affect crops. The project will help address these challenges by promoting healthy planting materials that are better suited to changing environmental conditions.
Establishing Clean Plant Centres
A key feature of the project is the establishment of clean plant centres dedicated to maintaining disease-free foundation materials. These centres will be equipped with advanced laboratories for diagnostic testing and staffed by experts trained in the operating procedures and protocols for maintaining clean plant health. This initiative is expected to enhance the overall health of horticultural crops and improve their resistance to pests and diseases.
“The project supports the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP) that enhances plant health management. It will help develop regulatory framework and institutional systems to effectively implement the CPP for horticulture in India. The project will involve close consultation with private nurseries, researchers, state governments, and growers’ associations to ensure its success and sustainability.”
Clean Plant Certification Scheme
The project will also implement a clean plant certification scheme. This scheme will accredit private nurseries, allowing them to test and certify their planting materials as disease-free. The scheme will be administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Boosting Fruit Production and Market Access
The project will address long-standing challenges in fruit production by ensuring that farmers have access to high-quality, virus-free planting materials. The initiative aims to increase crop yields and improve the market value of fruit crops, leading to enhanced income opportunities for farmers and better-quality produce for consumers.
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Supporting Nurseries and Export Potential
The Clean Plant Programme will also support nurseries, which play a vital role in the horticultural supply chain. By streamlining certification processes and improving infrastructure, the program will help nurseries efficiently produce and distribute clean planting materials. This will ensure a consistent supply of high-quality plants and foster long-term sustainability in the nursery sector.
Additionally, the program aims to boost India’s position in the global fruit market. With the introduction of superior, disease-free produce, India is poised to capture a larger share of the international fruit trade, opening new avenues for economic growth and expansion.
