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Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri. Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaking at India’s first International Agri Hackathon in Pune. Image Courtesy: Press Information Bureau – pib.gov.in.
Mumbai: Maharashtra is set to witness a significant advancement in its horticulture sector with the launch of the Central Government’s ‘Clean Plant’ programme, an initiative designed to ensure disease-free cultivation and enhance agricultural productivity.
“In all 9 ‘Clean Plant’ projects will be started across the country, out of which three projects will be set up in Maharashtra,” said Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s agricultural foundations and ensuring its global competitiveness.
Announced during the concluding session of India’s first International Agri Hackathon in Pune, the programme aims to transform the availability and quality of plants for farmers through advanced technology and strategic global partnerships.
With a total investment of Rs 300 crore, the three specialised ‘Clean Plant’ projects to be established in Maharashtra will come up in Pune for grapes, Nagpur for oranges, and Solapur for pomegranates. These centres will provide disease-free plants to farmers, addressing one of the most pressing concerns in horticulture.
Complementing these efforts, modern nurseries will also be established, offering technology-driven support to agricultural stakeholders. Large nurseries will receive Rs 3 crore in funding, while medium-sized ones will be allocated Rs 1.5 crore, with a target of supplying eight crore disease-free seedlings annually.
Shri Chouhan emphasised Maharashtra’s pivotal role in shaping India’s horticultural landscape, lauding its record production of grapes, pomegranates, oranges, chickpeas, and various vegetables. He expressed confidence that the state’s horticulture industry will soon compete on an international scale. He also highlighted that global expertise, including collaboration with Israel and the Netherlands, would be leveraged to implement the programme effectively.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, underscored the need to integrate modern technology into agriculture, citing climate change-induced challenges. He stressed that initiatives such as the Pune Agri Hackathon will be instrumental in incubating viable solutions that can be directly transferred to farmers, ultimately boosting productivity.
The Union Minister further reiterated that a developed India hinges on prosperous farmers and a robust agricultural framework. He announced a concerted effort to bridge the gap between scientific research and its application, through the ‘Lab to Land’ programme. As part of this initiative, sixteen thousand scientists will collaborate directly with farmers to enhance yield, reduce costs, and optimise market linkages.
The event also recognised and awarded outstanding contributions from startups, agri-innovators, and enterprising farmers across several categories, including Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, Soil and Irrigation Management, and Post-Harvest Technologies. As Maharashtra embarks on this transformative journey, the Clean Plant programme stands as a testament to the Government’s dedication to agricultural excellence and food security.
(Write to us at editorial@bombaychamber.com)
