CDP-SURAKSHA, govt’s new digital platform to disburse subsidies to horticulture farmers

The government's launch of CDP-SURAKSHA aims to streamline subsidy disbursement to horticulture farmers, fostering growth in the sector. This digital platform seeks to enhance efficiency and transparency in subsidy allocation under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP), contributing to the development of India's horticulture sector.

1: Dimension- What is CDP-SURAKSHA?

• Introduction: CDP-SURAKSHA, acronym for "System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance," is a digital platform initiated by the government. It facilitates instant subsidy disbursal to horticulture farmers, leveraging e-RUPI vouchers from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• Key Features: The platform integrates various databases, including PM-KISAN and UIDAI validation, ensuring seamless subsidy allocation. It enables farmers to place orders for planting material, contributes their share of costs, generates e-RUPI vouchers, and verifies delivery through geo-tagging, enhancing accountability and efficiency.
• Operational Process: Farmers access the platform to order planting material, contribute their share of costs, and receive subsidies upfront. Vendors supply materials upon verification, and payments are released only post-verification, ensuring transparency and adherence to guidelines.

2: Dimension- How does CDP-SURAKSHA work?

• Farmer Engagement: Farmers register on the platform using their mobile numbers, place orders for planting material, and contribute their share of costs.
• Subsidy Disbursement: Upon placing orders, farmers receive subsidies upfront through e-RUPI vouchers, facilitating seamless transactions.
• Vendor Verification: Vendors deliver planting material, which farmers verify through geo-tagged media, ensuring transparency in delivery and payment release.
• Subsidy Release: After verification, implementing agencies (IAs) validate documents and release subsidies to vendors, promoting accountability and adherence to guidelines.

3: Dimension- Comparison with the old system

• Upfront Subsidy: Unlike the previous system, CDP-SURAKSHA provides subsidies upfront at the time of purchasing planting material, streamlining the subsidy disbursal process.
• Verification Mechanism: The platform incorporates geo-tagging verification, ensuring accountability and transparency in delivery and payment release, unlike the traditional system.

Government's Cluster Development Program (CDP):

• Objective: CDP aims to promote integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters, fostering pre-production, production, post-harvest, and marketing activities.
• Implementation: NHB identifies and develops horticulture clusters, providing financial assistance based on cluster size, attracting private investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the sector.
• Impact: With 55 identified clusters covering 10 lakh farmers, CDP is expected to catalyze private investment of Rs 8,250 crore, contributing to the holistic development of the horticulture sector.

Mains Practice Question

Q. Evaluate the role of digital platforms like CDP-SURAKSHA in promoting inclusive growth in the agricultural sector. What are the key features that distinguish it from the traditional subsidy disbursal system?