Myanmar destroys 2.8 hectares opium fields in central region

YANGON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have destroyed 2.8 hectares opium fields in the hilly areas of Ngaphe township, Magway region, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Friday.

The opium fields, wiped out by a combined team of police on Wednesday, covered those in three villages in the township.

The authorities also destroyed 57.4 hectares' opium fields in villages in three other townships of Hopong, Pinlaung and Hsihseng in eastern Shan state in last December.

The opium destruction is part of the government's efforts to stem opium production in the country.

Myanmar saw a significant decrease in opium poppy cultivation in 2017 to 41,000 hectares which was 25 percent down from the 55,500 hectares recorded in 2015, according to the Myanmar Opium Survey 2017.

Myanmar's eastern Shan state topped the areas with a drop of 37 percent, followed by southern Shan state with a drop of 29 percent of opium poppy cultivation reduction, but there were less than 3 percent or 7 percent in conflicted areas such as Northern Shan state and Kachin states.