On Opium Cultivation in India – Uncertain future in a sea of poppies

Source: This post on Opium Cultivation in India has been created based on the article “Uncertain future in a sea of poppies” published in The Hindu on 18^th November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Agriculture – Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country; Food processing and related industries in India.

News: This article discusses the importance and distribution of opium cultivation in India. It also highlights issues that have emerged out of a recent government decision to open it to private players.

What are the uses of the opium crop?

2 types of narcotic raw materials can be produced from opium poppy: opium gum (latex) and the concentrate of poppy straw (CPS).

Opium contains morphine, which is known to relieve chronic pain (analgesic). Besides, it is also grown as a source of edible seed and seed oil.

It is also used to produce opioids (a class of drugs made from opium) like heroin.

What is the geographic distribution of opium production in India?

In India, there are about 1 lakh farmers across 22 districts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh with a licence to cultivate opium.

3 districts that border Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan — Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Chittorgarh, together account for 80% of India’s opium.

Opium cultivation is known as swabhiman ki kheti (agriculture of dignity) in the Mewar region. Some families have been doing this for as long as 200 years.

Source: The Hindu.

What are the issues with opium cultivation in India?

1. Stagnant Procurement Rates: The procurement rate for opium hasn’t increased in many years.
2. Rising Input Cost: The input cost has increased due to the rise in the price of fertilizers, labour costs, and pesticides.
3. Risk of Crop Theft: Farmers have to be vigilant all the time.
4. Highly Regulated: Because it is an addictive substance that can cause mental clouding and hallucinations, opium production is highly regulated in India.
5. Competition from Private Players: Farmers have been agitated (due to a variety of reasons discussed below) due to a government decision to open up the sector to private players in 2021.

Why was a change in opium policy brought in?

In 2021-22, the Union government changed its opium policy, allowing private players to produce CPS from the opium poppy. According to the govt, the move will have following advantages:

1. Boost the yield of alkaloids (organic compounds of plant origin which have pronounced physiological actions on humans): In CPS, poppy straw is washed 6-10 times in water and/or various acids and other chemicals. This leads to a high morphine concentration.
2. Export Competitiveness: As other countries have already shifted to the CPS method, the demand for Indian opium (which is produced using lancing method) in global market is reducing. This policy provides an opportunity for India to regain its share.
3. Better Drug Law Enforcement: It will also help in ensuring better drug law enforcement as it will reduce the illicit market for opium gum.
4. Price Competitiveness: CPS is less labour-intensive compared to the method used by farmers currently. Thus, labour costs can be reduced.

What are the issues with the CPS system and entry of private players?

According to farmer’s organisations, these are the emerging issues:

National Security Issue: Farmers believe that private companies are likely to pose a threat to national security as the drug mafia can get access to alkaloids.

Costly Medicine: When opium production is handed over to private companies, life-saving medicines which are made using opium will become costly and poor patients will suffer.

Lack of Transparency: Farmers allege that there is no transparency in the CPS mechanism.

Lack of Consultations: The Centre brought this scheme during the lockdown without holding any meeting with the farmers.

Rise in Illegal Activities: Farmer leaders believe that instances of distressed farmers turning to illegal activities such as smuggling will increase if private players are allowed into the field.

Question for practice:

India’s attempts at augmenting its opium exports by opening up the sector to private players has led to various challenges emerging for the traditional farmers. Analyse.