Bolivia farmers clash with police over 'illegal' coca markets

Fast News

Coca cultivators protest in capital La Paz to demand closure of what they say are new unlawful markets.

Coca leaf trade generates profits for politicians and is at the root of the conflict. (AFP)

Clashes between police and the Departmental Association of Coca Producers (ADEPCOCA) have continued in the capital La Paz, where coca growers demand the closure of what they say are new illegal coca markets.

"We want to close this illegal market. We will not accept any more (coca) markets, we will be in constant protest, so this must be shut down, whatever it takes," said one of the coca growers during the protest.

ADEPCOCA manages the main coca market in the capital and claims to be the only market authorised to trade coca leaves.

Coca growers along with other government oppositions protested near the coca market in La Paz against new “illegal” markets. (AP)

Coca-leaf trade

In recent years, the organisation has been opposed to the former president and leader of the ruling MAS party Evo Morales, who heads another coca growers' union in the Chapare locality in the central region of Cochabamba.

The coca leaf trade is legal in Bolivia and takes place in markets specifically designated by law and managed by the coca growers' unions.

This sale generates profits for the leaders and is at the root of the conflict.

In Bolivia, the constitution classifies coca as a "sacred leaf" because of the Andean cultural heritage and traditional uses such as chewing and natural medicine, which are widely practised in the country.

However, much of coca leaf production is diverted to cocaine, of which Bolivia is the world's third-largest producer after Colombia and Peru.

Source: AP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/bolivia-farmers-clash-with-police-over-illegal-coca-markets/?feed_id=5867&_unique_id=62e9e55005cce

Crop Sowing Affected in UP Due to Low Rainfall; CM Yogi Assures Govt Committed to Safeguard Farmers’ Interests

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to keep an eye on the situation arising in the state with crop sowing being affected in 15 districts due to lesser rainfall. The UP CM has instructed departments of agriculture, irrigation, relief, and revenue, among others, to stay on alert mode.

This year, till July 31, the state has received a total of 191.8 mm of rainfall, which is less than 353.65 mm in the year 2021 and 349.85 mm in the year 2020. Meanwhile, Agra was the only district that received normal (more than 120%) rainfall.

CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the government is determined to safeguard the interests of all farmers and if needed, it will also give financial assistance to farmers to ensure that not a single farmer suffers.

Firozabad, Etah, Hathras, Kheri, Auraiya, Chitrakoot, Pratapgarh, Varanasi and Hapur received normal rainfall (80% to 120%) while downpour in Mathura, Balrampur, Lalitpur, Etawah, Bhadohi, Ambedkar Nagar, Muzaffarnagar, Ghazipur, Kannauj, Jalaun, Meerut, Sambhal, Sonbhadra, Lucknow, Saharanpur and Mirzapur have received below normal (60%-80%). There are 30 districts in the state where only 40% to 60% of the normal rainfall has been recorded while 19 districts have received less than 40 per cent rainfall. As per information, the sowing of Kharif crops has been affected in these districts.

Kanpur, Amroha, Moradabad, Gonda, Mau, Bahraich, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ghaziabad, Kaushambi, Ballia, Shravasti, Gautam Budh Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Kanpur Dehat, Farrukhabad and Rampur received only 40% of the rainfall as compared to normal. CM Yogi has instructed that special attention should be given to these districts.

The rainy season usually starts in Uttar Pradesh by June 15 and continues till September 15. Rainfall ensures the prosperity of agriculture. The monsoon is not normal this time. However, along with irrigation from natural rainwater, the irrigation facility has been improved by the government with the expansion of canals, and tube wells. Rampur has received only 18% of the rainfall as compared to normal, but till now 98% of the Kharif crop seeds have been sown here.

According to the meteorologists, the rainfall conditions will be normal in August and September. There are 15 districts where crop sowing is less than 75% of the target.

The UP Government has asked various departments including Agriculture, Irrigation, Relief, and Revenue-related departments to stay in alert mode. The departments have been asked to maintain continuous communication with farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, agricultural universities and agricultural scientists in each district.

Read all the Latest News and Breaking News here

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/crop-sowing-affected-in-up-due-to-low-rainfall-cm-yogi-assures-govt-committed-to-safeguard-farmers-interests/?feed_id=5321&_unique_id=62e84a052a49d