<h1>National government announces 2025-26 opium poppy licensing policy expanding eligibility by 23.5% to about 121,000 farmers</h1> A national government announced the annual licensing policy for opium poppy cultivation for the 2025-26 crop year covering three states, estimating about 121,000 farmers eligible-a 23.5% increase and roughly 15,000 additional licensees. Policy retains high-yield gum cultivators, permits mid-yield growers to use Concentrate of Poppy Straw (CPS) with five-year licenses, and allows top CPS performers to revert to gum cultivation. Licenses will be suspended for CPS farmers who failed to meet minimum yield thresholds last year. The policy emphasizes digitized beneficiary data, expanded processing capacity, and strengthening domestic alkaloid production and manufacturing standards.