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Rajasthan Opium Farmers Face Weather Woes, Fear Crop Damage in Bhilwara

Opium farmers in Rajasthan's Bhilwara region are deeply concerned about crop damage due to recent hailstorms and rain. The Narcotics Department has issued licenses to thousands of farmers, who must submit crop assessment applications between March 10th and 15th to safeguard their licenses for the next season. Farmers report having to resow crops and combat disease triggered by the wet, cloudy conditions, using pesticides and protective maize borders. They hope for a good yield by Holi but are urging the government for a proper assessment if the weather damages their crops.

Key Points: Opium Crop Damage Fears in Rajasthan Due to Hailstorms, Rain

  • Hailstorm warnings issued
  • 6758 opium licenses active
  • Crop assessment from Mar 10-15
  • Farmers fear missing yield targets
3 min read

Rajasthan: Weather concerns mount for opium farmers in Bhilwara region

Bhilwara opium farmers worry as hailstorms threaten 'black gold' crop. Licenses and assessment applications detailed amid weather warnings.

"Due to cloudy weather and rain, a disease has affected the crop, so we are applying pesticides. - Farmer Ganesh Lal Jat"

Bhilwara, February 2

The opium crop, known as "black gold," is under scrutiny this season, and farmers are expressing great concern about the crop's condition amidst weather woes.

Farmers have been asked to provide their opinion and file their applications online or at the Narcotics office at the district headquarters between March 10th and 15th. This is to ensure that if a farmer's crop fails in the coming year and they do not receive a prayer application from the department, they can still get their shop plot (license) renewed for the following year.

The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for the past two days, with hailstorms and rain reported across several areas of the district, raising concerns about crop damage. Many farmers fear their crops will be damaged. The districts under the Narcotics Department include Kotri, Shripur, Bijolia, Mandalgarh, and six tehsils of Begun Watata in Chittorgarh district. A total of 6758 farmers were issued licenses by the Narcotics Department.

Mulayam Kumar Verma, an officer of the Jhala Estate district, said, "A total of 6758 licenses have been issued. He added that 845 (CPS) licenses are currently in good standing according to the Agriculture Department. The yield from one farmer is being collected from 8 different locations. We hope no crop damage information has been received at the office yet. If the crop is damaged, farmers believe they will not be able to meet the required yield (MQE) target set by the government. Farmers can submit crop assessment applications at the e-Mitra centre or the district office. The submission period is from March 10th to 15th."

In Ban Ka Kheda village of Bhilwara district, farmers Ganesh Lal Jat and Narayan Lal Jat, along with their wives and educated daughter Neetu Kumari Jat, were working in their field, irrigating the opium crop, spraying pesticides, and guarding the crop.

Farmer Ganesh Lal Jat said, "We had sown opium on a 10 ares plot. Due to rain during sowing, we had to resow on 6 ares; 4 ares remained unaffected, and the plants there have already flowered. Due to cloudy weather and rain, a disease has affected the crop, so we are applying pesticides. To protect the crop from the cold wave, we have planted maize around the field. The crop will mature by Holi, and then we will start making incisions on the opium pods."

Farmer continue to hope for a good yield and have requested the government to conduct a proper assessment of the crop.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the detailed process for license renewal and assessment. The online application via e-Mitra is a good step for transparency. Hope the authorities conduct a fair assessment for these farmers facing unpredictable weather.
N
Neha E
Heartbreaking to read about families like Ganesh Lal Jat's working day and night. Planting maize as a windbreak is such a traditional, smart technique. But when disease sets in due to weather, what can they do? Government must have a proper relief plan.
A
Aman W
While I sympathize with the farmers, we must also remember this is opium cultivation. It's a controlled substance for medical use. The article rightly calls it "black gold" – the high value is why farmers take the risk. The system needs to balance support with strict regulation.
K
Karthik V
The Met department warnings are becoming a regular feature every season. Is there no long-term plan? Can't the agriculture department help with more resilient crop varieties or better forecasting for these specific regions? Just asking farmers to file applications isn't enough.
P
Priyanka N
Good to see the daughter Neetu Kumari Jat mentioned working in the field. Education and working on family farms can go together. These crops are the livelihood for thousands. I hope by Holi they get a good yield and can celebrate properly! 🎨

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