Peru reached a new record figure after having eradicated 30,000 hectares of illegal coca crops in several areas of the country over the period comprised between January and October this year, the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida) Executive Chairman Alberto Otarola reported.
Since the State decided to intervene in coca crop reduction, a similar figure had never been reported at this time of the year. Thus, the result is considered "a historic goal," which has comprised -for the first time in 10 years- San Gaban district located in Puno region’s Jungle, he underlined.
According to his calculation, 2015’s eradication involves areas, such as the Amazonian Trapeze, the Peruvian central jungle, as well as districts Tocache and Uchiza (San Martin region), Tingo Maria (Huanuco), Caballococha (Loreto), Padre Abad (Ucayali) and San Gaban (Puno).
The latter district had to be intervened once again after a previous long-absence period. At the site coca leafs were intended for drug-trafficking, it was confirmed.
From January to date, the corresponding eradication investment totaled S/.117 million (about US$36.22 million). It must be noted international cooperation also contributed to the result.
"The results are there to be seen," Otarola expressed.
The 30,000 hectares of eradicated illegal coca crops led Devida to assist the area residents through programs aimed at promoting the development of alternative products, such as coffee and cocoa.
Thus, the government has begun to work jointly with farmers on the recovery of soils degraded by coca crops, as well as on the improvement of seeds and organic fertilizers for sowing, harvesting and trading new products, he said.
Devida's Head also seemed confident the ambitious goal based on eradicating 35,000 hectares -set by the government for 2015- will be reached by year-end. In 2014, 31,206 hectares were eradicated, he reminded.
"We are going to exceed this goal by far and fulfill our commitment to reduce coca areas, to face drug-trafficking based on the Peruvian model [...] and the alternative development program, which has been recognized by the United Nations,” he stressed.
(END) MVF/FHG/AVV/MVB
Published: 10/27/2015