Chandel villagers cultivate Opium plants for sustenance
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Gyanand Naorem
Kakching, February 25 2014 :
For extracting Opium, Poppy plants are normally cultivated in other parts of the world as a lucrative business.
But for the villagers in interior border areas of Chandel district, it is a necessity to support their families and children's education.
This came to light when a team of media persons interacted with Poppy cultivators in Khengjoy Sub � Division of Chandel District.
A woman farmer, who was harvesting poppy plants to collect raw Opium gum oozed out from the capsules of the plants, told the media team that the soil and climate of the region is not suitable for cultivation of rice as such they have been compelled to cultivate Poppy plants to support their family and educate their children.
She pointed out that before taking up Poppy cultivation, they used to plant vegetables and fruits.
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But due to poor condition of road and transport facilities, the products perished before reaching the market, thus resulting in great loss.
So, the villagers decided to take up Poppy cultivation despite knowing it is illegal.
Secretary of Kuki Chiefs' Association, N.Sauntak said that there are about 200 villages under Khengjoy Sub-Division, and about 60 percent of the population in these villages depend on Poppy Cultivation for sustenance, not by choice but due to absence of alternative means for earning livelihood.
He further said that they know that cultivation of Poppy is illegal but they practised it as the cold climate of the region is not suitable for rice and other crops.
Vum Khongsai, President of Thadou Students' Association, Chandel District, observed that the Government should either legalize cultivation of poppy in the region or not disturb the villagers until it could come up with an alternative means of earning livelihood for them.
He also requested the concerned Department to improve the transport and communication facilities and conduct testing of the soil to find out which crops would be best suited for cultivation other than poppy.