MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Lancing and latex collection

The lancing operation is performed by skilled labour (an average of 6 persons to a plot), usually on bright sunny days between noon and 4 p.m. The hottest part of the day is chosen, since the pellicle is said to form on the surface of the freshly exuded latex due to the hot sun, resulting in a greater degree of evaporation and quicker thickening. This also helps prevent the latex from falling off the capsule. The lancing operation is started at the edge of the field and the person works backward to avoid contact with the exuding latex. The hand is quickly passed over a capsule with the exuding latex. The hand is quickly passed over a capsule and a subjective decision is made as to whether it is ready for incision or not.

The lancing instrument, called “Nastar” or “Naka”, comprises of four lines about the dimension of ordinary needles spaced at 1.5 to 2mm apart and affixed to a holder about 18cm long. The nester is held carefully, as one holds a pencil while writing and the incision is made by a swift downward stroke starting just below the stigmatic rays. The depth of the incision is controlled by the affixation of the lines to the holder, for if incisions are too deep the latex is exuded to the interior of the capsules and is thus lost. If the cut is too shallow the yield of latex will be low, usually, an incision with a depth of 0.4 cm is considered ideal. About 150-200 capsules can be lanced per hour by an experienced worker.

Immediately on lancing, the latex exudes; it is initially milky and gets accumulated in the outer wall of the capsule. It quickly darkens and dries during the course of the day and is generally collected the next day before 10a.m. by scraping with a trowel called the Seetoah. The collection may also be delayed for one or two days, depending upon the ‘appearance’ of the capsules and the vigor after the latex flow. In other words the interval is subjectively determined by the collator. The lancing process is usually repeated twice, making a total of series of vertical incisions. The spacing of the incisions on the capsule is generally even. If the capsules are exceptionally, large, four to five lancing can be done. The air dried latex, which has now become blackish in colour, is scraped from the capsules into small earthenware pots which are lined with polythene sheets. Scraping is carried out by grasping the capsule between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand and including it gently, the scraper is then drawn upwards. The capsule is finally ‘cleaned’ with the thumb.

The semi-dry, blackish latex is then transferred to wooden trays and dried further, upon arrival at the factory, appropriate samples are drawn from each grower’s produce and their quality is determined in the laboratory of the Chief Opium Chemist. The material is graded according to morphine content as follows:

A = With morphine content more than 12%.
D1 = With morphine between 11 an 12%.
B2 = With morphine between 10 and 11%
B3 = With morphine between 8 and 10%