Scientists developing opium seeds to enhance morphine content

Three government-run farm universities in the country are working on developing opium seeds that have more morphine content than the existing ones for medicinal use, said an agriculture scientist.
The three varsities are Mandsaur-based K N K College of Horticulture (under Gwalior's Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agriculture University), the Maharana Pratap Agriculture University, Udaipur and the Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad (UP), he said.
Research is underway since April 1 at these institutes to enhance morphine extract to 16-18 per cent from 10-13 per cent from the existing varieties of poppy seeds, G N Pandey, a scientist at the K N K College of Horticulture, told PTI.

He said opium farming is done in MP, Uttar Pradesh and Rajathan under supervision of authorities.
Around 235 varieties of opium seeds had been sown in the KNK College premises as part of the research, he added.
Morphine, derived from the poppy plant, is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
"We are monitoring the seeds' growth," he said, adding they are hopeful to come out with improved seeds by the next fiscal.