Farmers from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have launched a protest in New Delhi, urging the Union Government to overhaul the 2026-27 opium licensing policy to align prices with international markets.
- Farmers demand an increase in the government procurement price to ₹1,00,000 per kg.
- Call for the reinstatement of opium leases cancelled since 1990 to expand cultivation.
- Request to exclude poppy straws from the NDPS Act and abolish the CPS harvest method.
In a significant escalation of agrarian demands, opium farmers from the key cultivation hubs of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh gathered at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on Monday. Under the banner of the Bharatiya Afeem Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, the protesters submitted a formal representation to the Union Government ahead of the critical announcement of the opium licensing policy for the 2026-27 cycle, expected in September.
The primary grievance of the farmers centers on the stark disparity between domestic procurement prices and the global market value. The farmers are demanding a hike in the government procurement rate to ₹1,00,000 per kilogram. They argue that the current pricing structure fails to reflect the true economic value of the crop on the international stage, leaving cultivators financially vulnerable despite the high value of the commodity.
Beyond pricing, the farmers are seeking structural changes to the licensing regime. They have urged the government to reinstate opium leases that were cancelled since 1990, arguing that such a move would allow for a sustainable expansion of cultivation. Furthermore, they have proposed that leases be granted based on a morphine yield of three kilograms per hectare, noting that morphine content is influenced by natural environmental factors beyond the farmer's control.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this movement highlights a growing tension between strict narcotic regulation and the economic survival of specialized farmers. By demanding the removal of poppy straws from the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, farmers are attempting to decouple agricultural waste from criminal narcotics legislation, which would significantly reduce their legal risks and operational costs.
The intersection of pharmaceutical demand and agrarian rights creates a complex regulatory challenge for the Indian government, where security concerns often clash with farmer livelihoods.
The farmers have also expressed strong opposition to the Concentrate of Poppy Straw (CPS) method of harvest, which the government has promoted since 2021-22 based on international practices. The Samiti is demanding the complete abolition of the CPS method in favor of traditional cultivation, suggesting instead that the government purchase poppy straws at ₹2,000 per kilogram for quality upgrading.
According to the 2025-26 policy, approximately 1.21 lakh farmers were eligible for licenses, marking a 23.5% increase over the previous year. While the government maintains that it is ensuring an adequate supply of alkaloids for medical and palliative care, the farmers argue that these incremental increases are insufficient compared to the potential of the sector.
| Feature | Current/Govt Position | Farmer Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement Price | Standard Govt Rate | ₹1,00,000 per kg |
| Harvest Method | CPS (Concentrate of Poppy Straw) | Traditional Method |
| Poppy Straw Status | Under NDPS Act | Excluded from NDPS Act |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why do farmers want poppy straws excluded from the NDPS Act?
Farmers argue that poppy straws are merely the husk of the plant and not a narcotic substance, meaning they should not be subject to the strict criminal penalties of the NDPS Act.
Q2: What is the CPS method of harvest?
The Concentrate of Poppy Straw (CPS) method is a modern harvesting technique promoted by the government to align with international standards, but it is viewed as less beneficial by traditional Indian farmers.
