Around 30,000 farmers engaged in opium cultivation have been severely hit with the harsh weather conditions as the fully ripe opium has been damaged. Farmers have suffered huge losses due to the inclement weather.
Opium cultivation is done in Neemuch, Mandsaur and Ratlam districts and thousands of farmers have been affected by the hailstorms which was damaged the crops in these regions.
Untimely and heavy hailstorms and rainfalls have damaged the opium heads and in huge numbers the opium crop has been smashed.
The abrupt weather conditions occurred at the time when the farmers have just started to harvest the crop which was very crucial time for the farmers.
Crops have been damaged at several places.
Fearing the yield would not match the standard set by the Narcotics and would result in the cancellation of licenses for growing Opium in their farms several farmers of the regions producing Opium and affected with the harsh weather conditions reached the National Narcotics Office in Neemuch.
The farmers on Friday called on the Narcotics Commissioner and demanded to conduct the survey of the damaged crops and at the
same time demanded relaxation in the average produce per unit land as due to damaged caused by hailstorm and rainfall, the yield received would be far less than the standards set for the yield produced per unit land.
leader of ruling party BJP and opposition in the state assembly Congress were seen along with the farmers and
discussed the issue with the officials of the Narcotics department.