As a result of the harsh weather conditions last season, the opium output in Shan State has declined although opium cultivation has increased, according to reliable sources.

Most poppy fields were partly or totally destroyed after heavy rainfall in late November 2008 and later, by bitter frost. Many farmers in southern Shan State were finding it difficult to survive and to pay taxes, an opium trader said.

"Some farmers had to dig roots and eat them as they had lost their investment. To make it worse, they were forced to pay taxes to the authorities," a villager from Kali, Kunhing Township said.

Opium traders are of the opinion that this year's output in Loilem, Laikha, Mongkeung and Kehsi townships could only be 30% out of 100 % compared to last year.

A villager, who had invested about Kyat 4 million (USD 3,809) in his farm, ended up getting only 1.5 viss (1 viss=3.6kgs) of opium, a trader said.

Prices of opium in the area were Kyat 750,000 per viss (USD 714) at the time.

Nay Pyi Daw has also been insisting that local authorities do more to eradicate cultivation in their respective areas. "That was a tall order," said a trader, "because everyone knows military units in Shan State, are fed by the people and not the government."

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), Burma's 2007-2008 output had increased 3 percent.