Peruvian Interior Ministry's Special Project for Control and Reduction of Illegal Crops in Alto Huallaga (CORAH) reduced the expansion of coca crops in 2016, as 30,151 hectares were eradicated in said year, the 2016 Coca Crop Monitoring Report has revealed.
The study was conducted by State-run National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida) and the United Nations.
According to the document, Devida's efforts were crucial for the implementation of alternative development projects, as well as post-eradication activities in 164 districts of 13 regions.
Likewise, Devida Head Carmen Masias pointed out these
actions have been essential for facing new coca crops and preventing the reseeding in areas, where they had already been eradicated.
In this sense, Masias stressed the National Strategy to Fight Drugs 2017-2021 reflects the Peruvian Government's vision regarding the drug problem and relies on a comprehensive approach articulating efforts with State institutions, civil society, and the international community.
On the other hand, the report notes coca cultivation area in the Andean country grew 9% last year, going from 40,300 ha (2015) to 43,900 ha (2016).
The report was presented to Devida head Carmen Masias on Monday by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Representative for Peru Kristian Hölge.
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