Source: PIB
Context:
The Union Government today announced the annual licensing policy for crop year 2025-26 during the Opium Crop Year from 1st October, 2025 to 30th September, 2026, of license for cultivation of opium poppy, for the farmers in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
What is Opium?
- Opium is a narcotic substance derived from the latex (sap) of the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum).
- It contains alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine, which have potent analgesic (pain-relieving) and medicinal properties.
- In India, opium cultivation is strictly regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
States Where Cultivated in India:
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
Legal Framework:
- Farmers require a license from the Central Government to cultivate opium.
- Cultivation is primarily for medical, pharmaceutical, and research purposes.
Applications of Opium
- Medical Uses: Pain relief (morphine), cough suppression (codeine), antidiarrheal medications.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Processed in licensed factories to produce essential narcotic drugs; base for opioids like morphine, codeine, oxycodone.
- R&D: Development of new painkillers; studies on opioid receptors, analgesia, and addiction.
- Economic/Export: Provides livelihood for licensed farmers; supports India’s supply of medical opiates globally.
Key Points from the 2025-26 Licensing Policy:
- Approximately 1.21 lakh farmers eligible for licenses – 23.5% increase from previous year.
- Focus on high-yield cultivators, incentivizing quality production.
- Digitization ensures transparency and inclusivity for marginal farmers.
- Goal: Balance domestic medical requirements and global compliance while promoting self-reliance in alkaloid production.
Objectives of the Policy
- Ensure adequate supply of essential narcotic drugs for healthcare needs.
- Support farmer participation and income generation through regulated cultivation.
- Encourage high productivity and yield optimization while maintaining compliance.
- Promote indigenous and self-reliant production of alkaloids.
- Strengthen India’s pharmaceutical export potential through regulated supply chains.
