The central government has launched new digital platform to disburse subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) to promote horticulture crops. The platform is known as CDP-SURAKSHA.
CDP-SURAKSHA
- SURAKSHA stands for “System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance.”
- The platform will allow an instant disbursal of subsidies to farmers in their bank account by utilising the e-RUPI voucher from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- The CDP-SURAKSHA has features such as database integration with PM-KISAN, cloud-based server space from NIC, UIDAI validation, eRUPI integration, local government directory (LGD), content management system, geotagging, and geo-fencing.
- The platform allows access to farmers, vendors, implementing agencies (IA), and cluster development agencies (CDAs), and officials of the National Horticulture Board (NHB).
- A farmer can login using their mobile number and place an order for planting material such as seeds, seedlings, and plants based on their requirement.
- The CDP-SURAKSHA platform uses e-RUPI vouchers from the NPCI. The voucher is a one-time payment mechanism that can be redeemed without a card, digital payments app or internet banking access, at the merchants accepting e-RUPI.
- The e-RUPI can be shared with the beneficiaries for a specific purpose or activity by organisations or government via SMS or QR code.
Horticulture sector
- India’s horticulture sector makes a substantial contribution to the Indian economy. It contributes nearly one-third to the agriculture gross value addition (GVA).
- The total production of horticulture crops has also spiked in recent years.
- While in 2010-11, it stood at 240.53 million tonnes, the number rose to 334.60 million tonnes in 2020-21.
