TEN-YEAR HIGH IN MYANMAR'S OPIUM PRODUCTION AMID ONGOING CRISIS, SAYS UNODC.

The article focuses on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Myanmar Opium Survey 2025, which reports a significant increase in opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar, reaching a ten-year peak. The survey indicates a 17 percent rise in cultivation, totaling 53,100 hectares, driven by socio-economic instability and rising opium prices, which have doubled since 2019. The report highlights that all growing regions experienced increases, particularly East Shan and Chin State, while also noting the challenges farmers face due to conflict and insecurity, which affect crop yields. The findings suggest that without viable alternative livelihoods, the cycle of poverty and reliance on illicit cultivation will likely worsen, impacting regional drug markets. [Extracted from the article]