The Indian government has permitted five private firms to conduct cluster farming of specific horticulture crops across approximately 50,000 hectares, investing Rs 750 crore, including subsidy, as a pilot scheme. The goal is to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian produce and boost farmers' income. The companies will focus on banana, apple, grapes, turmeric, and mango. The government will contribute up to Rs 100 crore per project under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP), which aims to develop 55 clusters across the country, with financial assistance varying based on cluster size. The scheme aims to provide farmers with high-quality planting material, aligning production with international standards, and enabling them to export their crops.