Opium Survey: Poppy Cultivation Declined 11%

Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar declined a further 11% in 2019 to 33,100 hectares, according to the Myanmar Opium Survey launched in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday.

Member of the Central Committee for Drugs Abuse Control, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Aung Thu gave an opening speech.

The Opium Survey has been conducted in Myanmar since 2001. The illegal poppy cultivation and manufacturing have been declined since 2004.

The Government is also implementing for infrastructure development projects in order to reduce the poppy cultivation. The opium substitute pilot projects are also implementing at NaungTaYar area of PinLaung Township in southern Shan State.

Moreover, in cooperation with UNODC and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand, the sustainable development projects are also undertaken. For systematic implementation of the projects, the private sector are also invited to cooperate in the tasks for interest of local farmers.

According to this year's survey, decreases were observed in all areas except Kachin State, where cultivation increased slightly.

Shan State, which accounts for 85% of cultivation in Myanmar, dropped 14%. Kachin State accounted for 12%, and Chin and Kayah States together for 3%. The national average yield per hectares was estimated at 15.4kg/ hectares in 2019, a 9% increase on 2018.