Opium Licensing Policy for 2026-27

Opium Licensing Policy & Farmer Demands

Overview

• Farmers from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are advocating for a favorable opium licensing policy for the 2026-27 period.
• Their demands were presented during a protest organized by the Bharatiya Afeem Kisan Sangharsh Samiti.

Key Demands

1. Increase in Licenses:

   • Farmers request an increase in the number of licenses for medicinal opium cultivation.

2. Price Adjustment:

   • Demand for the government to set the procurement price of opium at ₹1,00,000 per kg, aligning with international market rates.

3. Reinstatement of Cancelled Leases:

   • Request to reinstate opium leases canceled since 1990 to expand cultivation further.

4. Morphine Yield Criteria:

   • Propose that opium leases be granted based on a morphine yield of 3 kgs per hectare.

5. Legislative Changes:

   • Farmers want poppy straws excluded from the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, arguing they are not narcotic substances.

6. Abolition of CPS Method:

   • Request to abolish the Concentrate of Poppy Straw (CPS) method of harvesting, advocating for traditional opium cultivation practices.

7. Price for Poppy Straws:

   • Proposal for the government to purchase poppy straws at ₹2,000 per kg for processing.

Current Licensing Context

• According to the 2025-26 policy, around 1.21 lakh farmers are eligible for opium cultivation licenses, marking a 23.5% increase from the previous year, thus adding approximately 15,000 new farmers.

Government Response

• The Central Government's ongoing efforts aim to ensure a stable supply of alkaloids for medical and palliative care.
• Plans to enhance processing capacity through self-reliant measures are in place to meet the requirements for essential narcotic drugs.

Economic Data

• The proposed price for opium at ₹1,00,000 per kg indicates a significant economic consideration for farmers, reflecting market trends.

Constitutional References

• The policy aligns with the government's responsibility under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) to promote the welfare of farmers and ensure the availability of essential medicines.

Conclusion

• The farmers' demands highlight the need for a balanced approach to opium cultivation that considers both economic viability for farmers and regulatory frameworks governing narcotic substances.