Clean plant program upsc 2023

 

The Clean Plant Program (CPP) is a government initiative in India that aims to improve the quality of plant material used in agricultural production. The goal of the program is to produce and distribute healthy planting material that is free from pests and diseases, and is of high genetic purity.

The CPP is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The program involves the establishment of certified nurseries, tissue culture labs, and other facilities to produce and distribute clean planting material.

The main objectives of the CPP are:

To improve the productivity and quality of crops by providing farmers with high-quality planting material that is free from pests and diseases.

To increase the income of farmers by promoting the adoption of high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties of crops.

To conserve and promote traditional varieties of crops by establishing germplasm banks and promoting their use in crop breeding programs.

To promote sustainable agriculture practices by reducing the use of pesticides and other agrochemicals through the use of disease-resistant varieties.

Overall, the Clean Plant Program is an important initiative for promoting sustainable agriculture and improving the livelihoods of farmers in India.

Background: The Clean Plant Program was initiated in India in 2005 as a part of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) to produce and distribute disease-free planting material for horticultural crops. In 2014, the program was extended to cover all crops, including food grains, oilseeds, and pulses.