Agriculture
Context: The Cluster Development Programme has a great potential to transform the entire horticulture ecosystem by creating last-mile connectivity with the use of multimodal transport for efficient and timely evacuation and transportation of horticulture produce.
Nodal Agency: The National Horticulture Board (NHB)
Aim: To improve exports of targeted crops by about 20% and create cluster-specific brands to enhance the competitiveness of cluster crops.
Objectives:
- To promote the Agriculture sector in the country and
- to increase the income of the farmers by giving them a reasonable price for their produce.
Key Features:
- CDP will support integrated interventions to enhance the competitiveness of targeted clusters.
- The interventions have been classified into the following three verticals:
- Pre-production and Production
- Post-harvest Management and Value Addition
- Logistics, Marketing and Branding
- MoA&FW has identified 55 horticulture clusters.
- The geographical specialization of horticulture clusters will be leveraged.
- It will promote integrated and market-led development of pre-production, production, post-harvest, logistics, branding, and marketing activities.
Implementation Framework:
- NHB shall provide financial assistance and supervise the overall implementation of the programme.
- A government/public sector entity, recommended by state/central government, shall be appointed as a Cluster Development Agency (CDA) for each identified cluster for the implementation of CDP.
- CDA will establish a Cluster Development Cell (CDC) with a dedicated team of officers within the CDA for smooth implementation of the programme.
Significance:
- The CDP will benefit around 10 lakh farmers and related stakeholders along the value chain.
- The interest of the farmers should be paramount in the centre of any programme/scheme.
- The overall development of horticulture in the country would be focused with the help of the implementation of this Programme.
Source: PIB
