The recent interim order of the Allahabad High Court to ban import of white poppy seeds from Turkey and other countries may directly benefit around 50,000 poppy seeds cultivators of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Notably, India is the largest market for white poppy seeds and it is the biggest producer of poppy straws legally. Moreover, India has the maximum consumption of poppy seeds in food. Apart from production in India, Turkey has been the largest exporter of white poppy seeds to India but recently the Allahabad High Court has banned the import of white poppy seeds from Turkey by passing an interim order on PIl of Ayurveda Sevashram Kalyan Samiti.
Ban on the import of white poppy seeds has come as good news for the local poppy seeds producers. Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam and Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) districts have highest production of poppy seeds in the country,
Around 50,000 farmers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are associated with poppy seed production. India has a demand of around 30,000 tonnes of white poppy seeds whereas estimated supply is only 4,400 tonnes in 2013 and 2014. Decreased supply is mainly due to the ban on imports and reduction in production. Recently farmers are getting Rs 325 per kg after the ban on imports prices are likely to surge to Rs 600 to Rs 700 per kg.
President of Neemuch Mandi Business Association, Rakesh Bhardwaj told The Pioneer that in 2011-12, Neemuch Mandi had recorded sale of 513.3 tonnes of white poppy seeds, in 2012-13 figure of sale was 1642.6 tonnes. Bhardwaj is of the opinion that Neemuch Mandi will witness higher sale of poppy seeds.
He said that it was in the best interest of farmers that Central Government should permanently ban the import of poppy seeds; it was not as essential commodity and hence imports were not unavoidable.
Farmers were also happy with court”s judgment. President of “Sarpanch Sangh” Virendra Borana was of the opinion that this would benefit the farmers and prices would rise to Rs 600 per kg. BJP Kisan Morcha” in-charge Virendra Patidar also suggested that import of white poppy seeds should be banned completely.