The Czech Blue Poppy Association (hereinafter referred to as ČMM) is a national association of legal entities and natural persons engaged in the cultivation, processing, and trade of poppy products.
ČMM promotes the good reputation of the typical Czech poppy both domestically and abroad. It defends the economic, commercial, legal, and professional interests of its members. In cooperation with scientific and professional institutions, it provides expert and advisory services to growers in the areas of poppy cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvest processing of seeds and straw. It emphasizes strict adherence to laws and regulations governing the legal cultivation of the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum L.) and management of products derived from its cultivation.
ČMM was established in May 2001 as a successor to an association that had previously brought together only legal entities. The most recent change of the association’s name and legal status took place at the General Assembly on 22 October 2015 in Větrný Jeníkov.
The main objectives of ČMM remain focused on improving the economic efficiency of poppy cultivation, strengthening competitiveness, expanding market opportunities for Czech poppy (Papaver somniferum L.), and enhancing the quality of the produced poppy seed.
In addition to advocating for fair trade conditions for poppy seed intended for food use and poppy straw used in the pharmaceutical industry, ČMM focuses on improving cultivation technology—i.e. pre-sowing preparation, plant protection against pests and diseases, agro‑technical methods, and harvest and post‑harvest technologies.
ČMM aims to significantly increase economically efficient yields, improve the quality of poppy seed and harvested poppy straw through extensive professional development and research activities, cooperating with specialized private and public research entities in the Czech Republic and abroad, including university departments.
The association applies newly acquired and verified knowledge in its members’ cultivation practices through professional seminars, field days, practical demonstrations, and targeted publications. ČMM represents poppy growers before both governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as within the framework of the European Union.
In 2010, ČMM published the book Mák (“Poppy” – ISBN 978‑80‑904011‑8‑1), which is available exclusively to the association’s members.
ČMM is open to cooperation with partners in the Czech Republic and abroad, provided such cooperation complies with its Statutes and contributes to fulfilling the interests of its members.