Poppy cultivation in Rajasthan is a unique and tightly regulated agricultural activity that plays an important role in both the rural economy and the pharmaceutical industry.
The crop, scientifically known as Papaver somniferum, is primarily grown for its opium latex, which is processed and used to produce medicinal compounds like morphine and codeine.
Rajasthan, along with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, is one of the few regions in India where legal cultivation of opium poppy is permitted.
Within Rajasthan, districts such as Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Jhalawar, Kota, and Udaipur have emerged as key centres for this specialised form of agriculture due to favourable soil and climatic conditions.
The cultivation of poppy in India is strictly governed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. Farmers must obtain licenses from the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), and the entire cultivation process is monitored closely by government officials.
Each year, the government announces quotas and guidelines, and farmers must meet specific minimum yield criteria — often called the Minimum Qualifying Yield (MQY) — to remain eligible for a license in subsequent years. Failure to meet these requirements, even due to natural calamities, can result in disqualification from future cultivation.
The crop is usually sown between November and December and harvested in March or April. During harvesting, the pods are carefully lanced by hand, allowing the latex to ooze out and dry. This dried latex is then collected and submitted to government procurement centres.
Despite the high value of the crop, poppy farming involves significant risks. The legal scrutiny is intense, and even minor violations can attract serious penalties. Additionally, the crop is highly sensitive to climatic changes such as frost, hailstorms, or excessive rainfall, which can severely impact yields.
Economically, poppy cultivation provides an important source of income for many farmers in Rajasthan, especially in regions where other commercial crops are less viable.
However, the increasing use of synthetic opioids globally and strict domestic policies have put pressure on prices and procurement levels in recent years. Despite these challenges, poppy farming remains a deeply rooted tradition in certain Rajasthani communities, blending age-old agricultural knowledge with the complexities of modern regulatory frameworks.