Current Context : Recently, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials which aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.

About Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme:

Objective:

• Provide disease-free, high-quality planting materials to boost horticulture.

Aims:

• Increase horticulture crop yields.
• Promote climate-resilient varieties.
• Ensure virus and disease control for ecosystem protection.

Components:

• Establishment of 9 advanced Clean Plant Centers with tissue culture labs.
• A robust certification system for accountability in planting material production.
• Development of region-specific varieties to suit diverse climates.

Implementation: Led by the Ministry of Agriculture, NHB, and ICAR.