Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP)

Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP)
News: A new platform called CDP-SURAKSHA has been introduced by the government for disbursing subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).

About:
• The government has introduced the CDP-SURAKSHA, a digital platform for disbursing subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).
• SURAKSHA stands for “System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance.”
• The platform facilitates instant subsidy disbursal to farmers directly into their bank accounts using the e-RUPI voucher provided by the 
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• The e-RUPI voucher is a one-time payment mechanism that does not require a card, digital payments app, or internet banking access. It can be redeemed at merchants accepting e-RUPI.
• Organisations or government entities can share the e-RUPI voucher with beneficiaries via SMS or QR code for a specific purpose or activity.
• Significance of CDP-SURAKSHA: The platform ensures upfront subsidy provision to farmers at the time of purchasing planting materials.
• Vendors supplying planting materials will receive payment only after farmers verify the delivery of their orders.
• This initiative aims to boost the growth of India’s horticulture sector by streamlining subsidy disbursement and promoting transparency in transactions.

Horticulture sector in India:
• Definition of Horticulture: Horticulture involves the science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants through activities like plant propagation, production, management, and marketing.
• Contribution to Indian Economy: The Indian horticulture sector contributes approximately 33% to the agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA), making it a significant contributor to the overall economy.
• Production Volume: India currently produces around 320.48 million tons of horticulture produce, surpassing food grain production, despite utilizing less land area.
• Productivity Comparison: The productivity of horticulture crops is notably higher compared to that of food grains.
• Global Ranking: India is the second largest producer of vegetables and fruits globally.
• Leading Crop Production: India holds the top position in the production of several crops including Banana, Lime & Lemon, Papaya, and Okra.
• Advantages of Indias Horticulture Sector: India benefits from being a low-cost producer of fruits and vegetables due to favorable agro-climatic conditions, abundant labor availability, and relatively low input costs.
• Composition of Production: Fruits and vegetables account for nearly 90% of the total horticulture production in the country, highlighting the dominance of these crops in the sectors output.

Challenges:
• Lack of Infrastructure: Inadequate post-harvest handling, storage, and transportation infrastructure results in significant losses of perishable horticultural produce.
• Water Management Challenges: Horticulture is water-intensive, and issues like water scarcity or inefficient water management practices adversely impact crop yields and quality.
• Pest and Disease Management: Pests and diseases pose serious threats to horticultural crops, and improper pesticide use can lead to environmental pollution and health risks.
• Market Linkage Issues: Limited market linkages and price fluctuations affect farmers’ income and discourage investments in horticultural production.
• Impact of Climate Change: Erratic weather patterns, such as unpredictable rainfall and temperature variations, present challenges to horticultural production, necessitating adaptation strategies.
• Quality Standards and Certification Challenges: Small-scale horticultural producers often face difficulties in meeting quality standards and obtaining certifications required for export markets.