Over 230 acres of poppy plantations to be destroyed in Kachin

Over 230 acres of poppy plantations to be destroyed in Kachin
Published 20 February 2020

 

Plans are under way to destroy more than 230 acres of poppy plantations this year, according to the Kachin State Government.

From 26 December, 2019 to 3 January, 2020, the destruction of poppy plantations was carried out in 11 areas in the north of Myitkyina-Kanpiketi Road, according to the government’s records.

Kachin State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Col Nay Lin Tun said: “One project has been completed. The next projects are under way. In the southern areas, there are still many acres of poppy plantations to be destroyed. We need funds to destroy poppy plantations.”

Kachin State has seen a sharp increase in the poppy growing acres after the renew fights between Tatmadaw and the KIA beyond 2011, according to the records.

The State government destroyed 618 acres of poppy plantations in 2012-13 poppy cultivation season, 1322 acres in 2014-15, over 3807 acres in 2015-16 and over 55 acres in 2016-17.

Myanmar set a 15-year goal of eliminating narcotic drug since 1999. It is extended to 2020 as it did not achieved success.

Ten townships in Kachin State see poppy growing, mostly in Kanpiketi, Sadone, Tanaing, Hpakant, Panwar, Chiphwe, Bhamo, Swanparabwan and Putao.