No.20 - 05/2006
31 May 2006

Drugs

Off season poppies in the south

Migrant workers returning home to visit their families during the region's hottest month of April were surprised to find poppy fields along the slopes of their mountainous villages in southern Shan State, reports Hawkeye aka U Sein Kyi:

The colorful flowers of the fields were visible from Panglong, the historic town where the treaty that united Burma with Shan, Kachin and Chin states was signed in 1947. The fields were watered mainly by mountain dew, but showers in March and April greatly contributed to their survival and growth. "We have started to grow poppies all year round now," a source was told by her relative. "There's no such thing as the annual poppy season anymore."

Most fields come under the sponsorship of financiers who also see to it that there are no official action taken against the farmers by local authorities. To the delight of the poor local populace, the fields also bring employment for them. During the hoeing, weeding and harvesting periods, labor is much in demand, 2,000 kyat ($1.5) per day with meals. "When community prices are going khuen-fah khuen-mawk (sky-high and cloud-high), it certainly is a welcoming break to all," she said.

In Panglong, the normal daily wage is 500-1,000 kyat ($0.40-0.75). In contrast, food is 700-1,000 ($0.50-0.75) per meal; fried rice, 700 kyat ($0.5) per plate; noodles, 1,000 kyat ($0.75) per bowl; and pork 7,500 kyat ($5.75) per viss. (1.6 kg)

Her friend from Mongpawn, 28 miles from Taunggyi, confirmed he also witnessed off-season poppy fields on the hillsides near his hometown. "In Mongpawn and Panglong, hot season poppies have just begun," he added. "But in Hopong and Hsihseng (further west), they have been doing it for years."

Opium production, according to sources, has declined in the Wa-controlled areas during the 2005-2006 season, but the drop there was more than made up by outputs elsewhere in Shan State.