In a remarkable agricultural transformation, former illegal poppy growers in Jharkhand's Palamu district are turning to legitimate crops like mustard, potatoes, and pulses. This significant shift is currently unfolding across approximately half a dozen villages in the region that was once notorious for narcotics cultivation.
From Poppy Fields to Mustard Farms
The sweeping change is particularly evident in Kekargarh panchayat of Panki block, an area that had earned infamy for poppy cultivation over multiple decades. This winter season, villages including Suggi, Nimla, Purwari, Andaag, and Jobla have visibly embraced mustard cultivation, painting their fields yellow instead of the controversial poppy plants that once dominated the landscape.
Under the Pandu block, Barwahi village has joined this positive transformation, with farmers choosing legal agricultural practices over illegal activities that previously defined the region's farming patterns.
Police Campaign Drives Agricultural Reform
The transformation follows sustained anti-poppy campaigns conducted by Panki police in recent years. Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan confirmed the significant progress, stating, "The land on which poppy was grown till last year is now under potato and arhar crops."
The police approach combined enforcement with community outreach. SP Ramesan explained their strategy: "We made a sincere outreach to discourage villagers from indulging in illegal poppy cultivation by telling them to make an informed choice between jail or stable livelihood. This has started yielding fruit."
She emphasized that the drive against illegal cultivation will continue, ensuring the positive changes become permanent.
Economic Incentives and Legal Consequences
Local residents acknowledge multiple factors driving this change. A Kekargarh panchayat resident revealed that "villagers have also taken up mustard cultivation as it is more profitable," indicating that economic considerations are playing a crucial role in the transition.
The legal system has reinforced this shift through strict enforcement. Sources confirmed that in 2025, the court sentenced four poppy smugglers to 15 years imprisonment, sending a strong message about the consequences of illegal drug cultivation.
This combination of economic incentives and legal consequences appears to be creating sustainable change in Palamu's agricultural landscape, turning former poppy heartlands into productive fields growing essential food crops for the region.
