Myanmar is world’s biggest opium producer
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023 on Tuesday. According to the report, Myanmar is the world’s biggest opium producer. The report added, from 2022 to 2023, Myanmar saw an 18 per cent increase to one lakh 16 thousand acres in the amount of land used to grow the illicit crop and a 16 per cent rise in production. The growth can be attributed to multiple factors such as improved plot density, the use of irrigation and fertilisers.
Earlier Afghanistan held the infamous title but since the ascent of Taliban to power in 2021, cultivation of opium poppies has seen a decrease of 95 per cent. The report notes that opium farming in Southeast Asia is closely linked to poverty, lack of government services, challenging macroeconomic environments, instability and insecurity.
