Growing India's Fruit and Vegetable Hubs

The Horticulture Cluster Development Programme (CDP) is a central sector scheme aimed at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive. It leverages geographical specialization to boost exports.

What is a Cluster? A cluster is a designated area where a specific high-value crop (like Mango, Grapes, Apple, or Pineapple) is grown extensively. For example, Nasik for Grapes or Sholapur for Pomegranate.

Program Pillars: - Pre-production & Production: Providing high-quality planting material and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) training. - Post-harvest Management: Building specialized cold chains, sorting units, and warehouses near the fields. - Logistics & Marketing: Ensuring smooth transport of fruits to markets and increasing brand value for export.

Benefits for Farmers: 1. Higher Prices: Integrated marketing ensuring farmers get better returns for premium quality. 2. Reduced Wastage: Efficient logistics ensure delicate fruits reach markets without getting spoiled. 3. Global Reach: Helping small farmers meet international export standards (like GlobalGAP).

Target Crops: Initially, the program focuses on clusters including Mango, Apple, Citrus, Pineapple, Banana, Grapes, Pomegranate, Turmeric, Ginger, etc.

Implementation: The National Horticulture Board (NHB) oversees the program, involving public-private partnerships to bring the best infrastructure to rural production hubs.