Pekhon, 29 December

The Department of Agriculture provided cash to purchase perennial seeds and fertilizers to local farmers as poppy substitute in Pekhon Township in southern Shan State on December 28.

The event was held at the meeting room of the DoG, with an address by Township Administrator U Myint Lwin. An official from the DoG clarified matters relating to providing perennial seeds and fertilizers and a local farmer spoke words of thanks. 

Next, staffs from the DoG handed over about 2 million kyats for purchasing perennial seeds and 60 fertilizer bags worth 12.55 million kyats and pamphlets to the farmers as poppy substitute.

According to the DoG, the purpose of providing alternative crops to opium poppy seeds is to increase the use of high-yielding and pure varieties in order to reduce opium poppy cultivation and plant care practices.

Maung Maung Htwe (IPRD)
Translated by Kyaw Htike Soe