The specialist on drug-trafficking issues Pedro Yaranga noted that Peru is not the world’s main producer of coca leaf anymore after having reached a 13.9% reduction of hectares devoted to the cultivation of this plant, according to the latest report issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Yaranga said the report ranks Colombia as the top producer of coca, as its production went from 48,000 to 69,000 hectares in the last year, up 44%, from the 42,000 hectares of Peru.
“This is an important step forward in the work done by Devida, especially in the past three years,” he was quoted as saying by Andina news agency.
The expert said there was a significant reduction of coca bushes in the area of La Convencion, Cusco, and Devida has managed to cut 8,000 hectares this year.
Nevertheless, the biggest problem is still the VRAEM area (Valley formed by the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers), where a few problems have apparently arisen with regard to the productive reconversion program implemented by the Government.
Yaranga recommends installing more radar devices to detect the planes carrying drug loads to Bolivia, because only the one in Madre de Dios region works. He said at least three others are required.
The reduction is received as progress by Devida’s head Romulo Pizarro, who believes the current challenge is to make alternative crop and human development programs work, so that farmers do not cultivate coca leaves again.
(END) EGZ/CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/16/2015