Acreage down, yield up...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: "...The 2006 Opium Survey in Myanmar was conducted jointly by the Government of the Union of Myanmar (GOUM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). An extensive survey, combining the use of satellite images and ground verification, was conducted in Shan State where most of the opium poppy cultivation takes place. A rapid ground survey was conducted in Special Region 2 (Wa) to certify its opium free status. Limited ground surveys were also conducted in townships of Kachin and Kayah States to assess the level of cultivation in these areas and monitor possible displacement of opium poppy cultivation. Opium poppy cultivation In 2006, the total area under opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar was estimated at 21,500 hectares, representing a decrease of 34% compared to 2005 (32,800 hectares). The largest cultivation areas were found in South Shan where 72% of the national cultivation took place. 21% was cultivated in East Shan State. In North Shan State cultivation continued to decrease and reached a negligible level. In Kayah State, which was surveyed for first time this year, only a few hectares could be found. In 2006, there was also some limited cultivation in Kachin accounting for 5% of the total opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar. The most remarkable change was recorded in Special Region 2 (Wa), where there was no opium poppy cultivation this year, while in 2005 this region represented 30% of the national opium poppy cultivation. Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar has been decreasing continuously over the last years. Since 1998, the year of the United Nations Special Session on Drugs, the area under opium poppy decreased by 83% from 130,000 ha to 21,500 ha. Since 2002, the year of the first joint GoUM /UNODC survey, opium poppy cultivation fell by 73%.Opium yield and production The weighted national average opium yield for 2006 was estimated at 14.6 kg/ha (against 9.5 kg/ha in 2005). Yields ranged from only 8.9 kg/ha in East Shan State over 16.6 kg/ha in South Shan State up to 21.4 kg/ha on the best irrigated fields in Kachin State. In general, weather conditions were favourable for opium production (sufficient and timely rainfall). In addition, irrigation of opium poppy fields and multistage cropping contributed to yield increases. The considerable yield increase in 2006 offset the decrease in the cultivation area. In 2006, the potential production of opium remained with 315 metric tons almost at the level of 2005 (312 metric tons). The survey results show that the largest increase in production took place in South Shan State. Overall opium production in Myanmar has decreased by 75% since 1998 but the downward trend of recent years has come to a halt due to the production increases in East and South Shan State in 2006..."