Locals in Shan state says poppy plantations are thriving in the absence of government provision of a suitable substitute crop, Radio Australia reported. The Kayan New Land Party, an armed ethnic group from the region, says government officials are turning a blind eye to the illicit agriculture because shutting down the lucrative poppy trade could impoverish Shan state’s farmers. A KNLP representative said improved infrastructure – so farmers can get legal crops to market – and more reliable water supply were a couple of actions the government could take to improve the situation.
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