Recent heavy rains and hailstorm have damaged the opium harvest in Malwa region known for its legal cultivation.
About 30,000 opium farmers from Neemuch, Mandsaur and Ratlam districts said rains lashed the region just when the opium harvest was at its peak.
The district Congress president Nandkishor Patel met the Narcotics Deputy Commissioner and discussed with him the damage of opium crop and demanded compensation to farmers after conducting a survey in this regard.
Farmers also came to the Central Narcotics Bureau office here to demand a survey and relaxation in the opium cultivation rule due to heavy damage to the crops. Congress, BJP and Kisan Morcha leaders accompanied the farmers.
The legal opium cultivation is controlled by the Centre, official sources said.
