The Ministry of Finance (MoF) on September 13, 2023, issued a notification regarding the general conditions for the granting of a license for the cultivation of opium poppy for the production of Poppy Straw from which no juice is extracted through lancing on account of the Central Government during the Opium Crop Year Commencing on October 01, 2023, and ending on September 30, 2024.
The following has been stated namely: -
• The eligibility conditions have been stated as follows namely: -
(i) Cultivators who had cultivated opium poppy for the production of Poppy Straw from which no juice is extracted through lancing during the crop year 2022-23 on the basis of licenses issued to them for five years, and tendered poppy straw at the weighment center and have not been debarred from the cultivation of opium poppy on any of the ground mentioned in Para 5(ii) of this opium policy.
(ii) Cultivators who have tendered an average yield of Morphine (MQY-M) 3.0 kg per hectare and above but less than 4.2 kg per hectare from the opium poppy cultivated for obtaining opium gum through lancing in crop year 2022-23.
(iii) Cultivators who are eligible for a license under opium poppy cultivation for obtaining opium gum after lancing, if they opt voluntarily to cultivate opium poppy for the production of Poppy Straw from which no juice is extracted through lancing.
(iv) Cultivators who plowed back their entire poppy crop cultivated during the crop years 2021-22 and 2022-23 under the supervision of the Central Bureau of Narcotics in accordance with the provisions in this regard.
(v) Cultivators who were eligible for a license for the crop year 2022-23, but did not obtain/issued a license for any reason, or who after having obtained a license, did not actually cultivate opium poppy due to any reason
• It states that If the area actually cultivated is up to 5% in excess of the licensed area, such excess cultivation may be condoned
• It states that Any cultivator who cultivates opium poppy during 2023-24 on his own land or on the land leased from others shall provide details of the owner of the plot, survey number, and any other details as may be directed by the Narcotics Commissioner.
• It states that All eligible cultivators will be issued a license of 0.10 Hectares each
[Notification No. G.S.R. 667(E)]
