❖ The Union Cabinet approved the Clean Plant Program (CPP).

❖ It is aimed at increasing the yield and productivity of horticulture crops in India.

❖ The CPP is also targeted at enhancing the quality of fruit crops across the nation.

❖ The programme has three main components geared towards helping farmers obtain virus-free, high-quality planting material to increase crop yields and improve income opportunities.

❖ India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China.

❖ From 2013-14 to 2023-24, the area under horticulture crops has risen from 24 million hectares to 28.63 million hectares.

❖ Its Production has increased from 277.4 million metric tonnes (mt) to 352 million mt.

❖ India is also a major importer and exporter of fresh fruits.

❖ In the financial year 2023-24, India exported fresh fruits worth $1.15 billion, while it imported fruits worth $2.73 billion.