Lok Sabha Question No. 4297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Clean Plant Programme under MIDH
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4297

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CLEAN PLANT PROGRAMME UNDER MIDH

4297. SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the Clean Plant Program (CPP) under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH); (b) if so, the details along with the key features thereof and whether this program aims  to  address  critical  issues  in  Horticulture  by  providing  access  to  high-quality, virus free planting material and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether it  is  also  proposed  to  establish  number  of  world-class  Clean  Plant Centers across the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise particularly in the State of Karnataka; (d) whether the Government intends  to expand this program to  other States in the near future; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): Yes Sir.
- (b): The Government of India has approved the ambitious Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program  (CPP)  with  an  investment  of  ₹1765.67  crores,  aimed  at  producing, maintaining,  and  distributing  virus-tested  propagative  material  for  identified  fruit crops. The program focuses on enhancing productivity by providing quality planting material,  protecting  ecosystems  through  proactive  virus  and  disease  management, building stakeholder capacities in clean plant production, distribution, and strengthening  the  knowledge  network  by  fostering  collaboration  among  research institutes,  universities,  and  agencies  to  ensure  the  sustainable  operation  of  clean plant centers. Following are the 3 key outputs of the program:
1.  Output  1.  Institutional  and  regulatory  frameworks,  and  knowledge  network  for clean  plant program  established  and  operationalized -The  program  will establish regulatory frameworks and an institutional environment to operationalize the clean plant program.
2.  Output  2.  Clean  plant  centers  established  and  operationalized  -  Under  the program,  nine  clean  plant  centers  (CPCs)  will  be  developed  across  India  in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The clean plant centers will keep mother plants free from virus and virus-like pathogens so that nurseries  can  propagate disease-free planting materials  from  CPC's generation 1 (G1) block.
3.  Output 3. Certified clean planting materials produced by accredited nurseries The  program  will  ensure  private  nurseries'  production  of  virus-tested,  clean horticulture  plant  materials  through  providing  nursery  audits,  inspections,  and pathogen testing when these nurseries participate in the horticulture plant stock certification program. Participation in the certification scheme is voluntary.
- (c):  Under  the  Clean  Plant  Programme,  Nine  (9)  world-class  Clean  Plant  Centers across the country has been identified. The details are as follows:
- (d) & (e):  At present, there is no plan to expand the program to other States. Any future expansion to additional States and crops will be considered and decided upon after evaluating the performance of the above CPCs and crops.

|   S.No. | ICAR institute                                        | Location                | Proposed target crops                                  |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | National Research Center for Grapes (NRCG)            | Pune, Maharashtra       | Grapes                                                 |
|       2 | Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)     | Bangalore, Karnataka    | Mango, Guava, Dragon Fruit, Avocado                    |
|       3 | Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI)              | Nagpur, Maharashtra     | Citrus                                                 |
|       4 | Central Institute for Temperate Horticulture (CITH)   | Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand | Apple, Almond, Walnut, Berries, other temperate fruits |
|       5 | National Research Center on Pomegranate (NRCP)        | Solapur, Maharashtra    | Pomegranate                                            |
|       6 | Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh  | Mango, Guava, Litchi                                   |
|       7 | Central Institute of Arid Horticulture (CIAH)         | Bikaner, Rajasthan      | Citrus                                                 |
|       8 | ICAR - CISH, Regional Station                         | Malda, West Bengal      | Mango, Guava, Litchi, Avocado                          |
|       9 | Central Institute for Temperate Horticulture (CITH)   | Jammu and Kashmir       | Apple, Almond, Walnut, Berries, other temperate fruits |

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