And Today...
We once said that the tasks of alternative development are quietly carried out in the Cochabamba tropics creating basic conditions allowing agricultural, forestry, tourist and industrial growth.
However, in the last ten years, something unusual has happened and adequate measures are being taken. We refer to the compensation scheme paid for the eradication of coca bush. When a farmer eradicated, he received compensation, although in many cases replanted coca in other areas of the Cochabamba tropics. In other cases, farmers migrated temporarily to the region, planted coca, eradicated it, took the money and returned. This vicious cycle has taught Bolivia a lesson.
Amongst many things, the new Bolivian Anti-Narcotics Strategy 1998 - 2002 includes a gradual reduction of individual compensation until it is phased out, as well as a change from individual to community compensation. The lesson learnt in Bolivia is bearing fruits.
However, positive actions have a forceful effect. Over the last ten years, alternative crops in the Cochabamba tropics have increased by 137%, more than doubling the surface under licit cultivation. Market value of the production in the area has doubled from US$ 2 million in 1986 to US$ 25 million in 1997. Further information is provided in the following pages.
Gran Angular #33 includes information on other important issues. We report on the United Nations Special Session on the World Drug Problem, to be held in New York in June. During the event, the ten-year world experience will be analysed in order to prepare a global strategy on drug control for the next century. Furthermore, demand and supply reduction strategies will be approved, the latter aimed at eliminating or substantially reducing illicit crops in the world in a ten-year period. Various Heads of state are expected to attend, ratifying their commitment to jointly combat illicit drugs.
The Special Session's slogan is "A drug-free world, We can do it", which we hope will also be yours as it is our joint responsibility to create a drug-free world for our children.
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