Opium cultivation in Hsihseng may vanish as rising coffee prices shift farming trends
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Phyo/Pearl (NP News) - Feb 24
U Khun Myo Nyunt, an auditor at the Agriculture and Livestock Committee (Central) of the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), told The Statesman that opium cultivation could disappear in the Maenal Taung area of Hsihseng Township, Shan State (South) by 2030, as coffee is increasingly being grown as a substitute for opium due to its high price.
It is reported that more than 2,000 opium farmers in Hsihseng Township have switched to growing coffee, resulting in a decrease in the percentage of opium cultivation in the Hsihseng area.
“There are very few opium plantations now. If we compare it to coffee now, the big coffee companies used to export about 300 tonnes per year. If we look at the acreage, it is between 500 and 1,000 acres. Only 10 percent of that is left in opium plantations. The opium acreage is now only between 50 and 100 acres. This is just an estimation comparing to coffee,” said U Khun Myo Nyunt.
After the coffee conversion, opium cultivation decreased due to the availability of a market for coffee, climate change, the spread of other drugs, and the unprofitable price of opium.
“There are various reasons for the significant decline. The main reason I notice is that coffee market has become strong. And when coffee production increases, farmers are less inclined to grow opium. There are other reasons too. One is the decreased opium yield due to climate change, meaning opium is no longer profitable. Another is that other narcotic drugs are becoming more widespread, so the focus on opium is less,” he said.
Currently, the market price of one viss of opium is about 400,000 kyats, and there are fewer buyers. In the Maenal Taung area of Hsihseng Township, there are only about 10 acres left under opium cultivation.
He also said that if the coffee market continues to expand, opium cultivation could be eradicated before 2030.
“In the past, selling a viss of opium would earn you more than the price of one tical of gold. Today, opium cultivation is no longer feasible, and since no one is willing to buy opium even at 400,000 kyats, it is not profitable. That is why they are abandoning opium cultivation. After the good price of coffee, opium plantations have decreased. If the coffee market continues to flourish like this, the opium cultivation could disappear within five years. Even now, farmers are disappointed with the opium price. There are many farmers who say they will not grow opium anymore. I don't think we will see opium in this region by 2030. Opium cultivation has almost disappeared in Pa-O region. Now, coffee is a substitute for opium,” he said. –