• By Kamakshi Bishnoi
  • Fri, 02 May 2025 12:23 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Barabanki, known for its agricultural prowess and Padma Shri awardees in farming, is considered a hub for opium cultivation. The district has a distinct identity in the cultivation of 'black gold' (opium). This year, Karimabad village in the Harakh block has emerged as the highest opium-producing village in the state. 

A total of 149 farmers from this village received licenses for opium cultivation, with 84 farmers licensed for lancing and 65 for the CPS (Concentrated Poppy Straw) method. Village head Harshit Patel explained that opium cultivation began in the village in 1970 and has grown steadily since then, with his own family involved. 

Opium is cultivated in several districts including Barabanki, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Mau, and Ghazipur. Each farmer receives a license for 10 'airis' (1000 square meters) of land. This year, 3080 farmers received licenses, with 629 permitted for lancing and the remaining 2454 for the CPS method, which only allows for poppy pod collection. 

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Farmers from Karimabad, including Vinod Verma, Narendra Verma, Surendra Verma, and Shiv Kumar, reported good crop growth this year, but adverse weather conditions affected production and led to losses. 

Sowing took place in November, and the crop was ready by March, a 100-day cycle. An estimated yield of about 6 kg of opium is expected from 10 'airis'. Karimabad supplied the most opium this year, with approximately 1574 kg collected from 263 licensed farmers in the district. 

Poppy pod collection is currently underway in Harakh town, overseen by experts. The CPS method is believed to minimise losses for farmers, according to District Opium Officer Karun Bilgrami.