Cops say Cordillera farmers clearing land for marijuana.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

BAGUIO CITY-Police said some farmers in the Cordillera have already started clearing forests through kaingin (slash and burn farming) to prepare seedbeds for marijuana seedlings, which earn for farmers more than they do when planting regular crops.

Supt. Danilo Flordeliza, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said reports showed farmers in some areas in Mt. Province, Kalinga and northern Benguet were preparing the seedbeds for planting during the rainy season.

Flordeliza confirmed reports that some rice and vegetable farmers have shifted to marijuana planting because cultivating marijuana is more lucrative than planting traditional crops.

He said they have identified at least seven hectares of marijuana plantations in Mt. Province.

An official of a farmer's group here said most farmers have shifted to planting marijuana because of the crisis in the vegetable industry.

"The farmers admitted that they did not want to resort to this unlawful practice because they know the bad effects of illegal drugs. But they said the situation in the vegetable industry is pushing them to resort to marijuana ...