This neighboring country of India became the biggest opium trader
Opium Production: Afghanistan, a neighboring country of India, was the largest producer of opium. But by defeating Afghanistan, another neighboring country of India has come to the first place in the production of opium and that country has pushed Afghanistan to the second place. UN report states that 1080 metric tons of opium is sown annually in Myanmar.
The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNDC) wrote in the report that the Taliban government has banned the cultivation of opium in Afghanistan from the year 2022. Only after the imposition of this ban, opium production in Afghanistan fell by 95 percent. This year 330 tons of opium has been grown in Afghanistan.
Increase in opium production in Myanmar
The UNDC has said that the opium trade in Myanmar plays a major role in the country’s economy. There has been a huge increase in it in recent years. Earlier $1 billion worth of opium was sold in Myanmar, but now up to $2.4 billion worth of opium is grown and sold in Myanmar. This is 4.1 percent of the country’s GDP.
Drug trafficking takes place
Myanmar shares borders with Laos and Thailand. This area is the most suitable place for illegal drugs, smuggling and opium. Last year, 790 metric tons of opium was grown in Myanmar.
Army has no intention of stopping opium cultivation
The most fertile land of Myanmar is in Shan Province. However, opium is cultivated on 88 percent of Shan’s land. In the Eastern Shan area, 19.8 kg of opium was grown per hectare, but now it has increased to 29.4 kg. Experts believe that the army does not intend to end this trade. This year, the Myanmar Central Committee on Drugs Abuse Control has said that there is no benefit in ending the opium trade.
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