No illegal poppy farming this year, courtesy govt schemes

Malda district recorded zero poppy cultivation this year as the poppy farmers in the district have got an alternative path to earn a livelihood. The farmers are now not only happy to have got an alternative way of income but are feeling much better after getting away from the illegal practice of cultivating poppy.

It may be mentioned that the district was an epicentre of illegal poppy cultivation and drug trade because of its strategic location alongside the international border. But the state government took firm actions against the illegal cultivation in a planned manner. "Malda district has recorded zero poppy cultivation in this year. It was possible because the district administration has arranged alternative ways of income for them. Those farmers will not go for poppy cultivation again," said Tanmay Chakrabarty, the District Magistrate of Malda.

"We managed to convince them to cultivate crops. Some of the farmers are now busy earning their livelihood from 100-days work while others have engaged themselves with several state-run schemes, especially schemes of the Animal Resources Development Department," Malda District Magistrate replied while talking to Millennium Post.

Malda District police conducted several raids across the districts. The farmers had informed the police that they were unable to cultivate on their lands this year due to demonetisation issues. But a section of people in the villages encouraged them to cultivate poppy in that lean season. Police warned them not to do it again.

A source claimed that the district administration and police assured poor farmers of their livelihood. Farmers were assured all helps for crop farming. Local panchayat members were also warned not to support poppy farming and were also told about strong actions against them.

The source also informed that several meetings were organised to discuss the way to stop poppy cultivation among district magistrates, superintendent of district police, block development officers and inspector-in-charge of police stations, panchayat members and members of NGOs. The district administration even had used drones to keep hawk's eye surveillance across the district especially

the blocks close to the Indo-Bangla border.

"It is really a good performance by the district administration that they have managed to stop 100 percent poppy cultivation," a senior state government officer added.