17.02.2026 (12:01 PM) Htate See

U Khun Myo Nyunt, an auditor at the Agriculture and Livestock Committee (Central) of the Pa-O National League, said that the percentage of opium cultivation has decreased in the Meinal Taung (Southern part) in Sesang Township, Shan State.

When asked about the current situation of opium cultivation, he said the following.

“I can say about 10 years ago. Opium cultivation was quite widespread. But since then, opium cultivation has decreased a lot,” U Khun Myo Nyunt said.

He continued by saying that there are various reasons for the decrease in the percentage of opium cultivation in Meinal Taung (Southern part) in Sesang Township, Shan State.

These reasons include climate change, the spread of other drugs related to drugs, which has reduced awareness of opium, and the price of opium.

“There are various reasons for the decline. What I see is number one. Coffee has become a strong market. When coffee production increases, they are less willing to grow opium. There are other reasons. One reason for the growth of opium is that due to climate change, opium production has decreased and opium is no longer a commodity. Another reason is that other drugs related to narcotics are becoming more widespread, so the focus on opium has decreased. In the past, four or five years ago, opium was sold for at least 800,000 kyats per pishar. Sometimes, when it was sold for 120,000 kyats, they would not get a single kyat of gold for selling a pishar. Today, opium is not a commodity at all. But since no one buys even 400,000 kyats per pishar, they are no longer profitable in terms of money. Therefore, opium cultivation is now abandoned. Moreover, a village that used to grow about 100 acres now has to find even 10 acres,” said the Pa-O National League, U Khun Myo Nyunt, an auditor from the Agriculture and Livestock Committee (Central), said.