Category

Criteria

License Status

Opium Gum Cultivators (High Performers)

Morphine yield (MQY-M) ≥ 4.2 kg/ha

Retained for gum cultivation; annual review

Opium Gum Cultivators (Moderate)

Morphine yield 3.0–4.2 kg/ha

Shift to CPS method; 5-year license

High-Performing CPS Farmers

CPS yield ≥ 900 kg/ha

Option to switch to gum cultivation (incentive)

Underperforming CPS Farmers

CPS yield < 800 kg/ha (2024-25)

License suspension for 2025-26

Value Addition

About Opium:
The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the primary source of opium gum, which contains vital alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine—all crucial for pharmaceutical applications.

• Morphine is widely used as a potent pain reliever, while codeine is essential in producing cough medications.
• The plant is also cultivated for edible seeds and seed oil, adding to its economic value.
• Notably, India holds the unique distinction of being the only nation authorized under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) to produce and export raw opium gum.
• Although 11 other countries grow opium poppy, they focus on concentrate or extract production rather than gum extraction.

Opium Cultivation in India:

• • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act authorizes the Central Government to regulate and permit the cultivation of opium poppy exclusively for medical and scientific purposes.
  • Each year, the government issues notifications specifying the geographical tracts where cultivation is allowed and lays down the conditions for licensing.
• The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), headquartered in Gwalior under the Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance) is responsible for issuing cultivation licenses.

• Licensed farmers are mandated to sell their entire opium produce to the government through CBN at a price determined by the Centre, ensuring a fully regulated supply chain.