According to DailyTrust, Colombia has announced a plan to eradicate vast crops of coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine. The Farc rebel group relied on cocaine production to fund its insurgency, and controlled much of the industry.
But a joint programme between rebels and the government will offer farmers monthly payments if they voluntarily destroy their crops
They will also be offered loans and guidance to plant alternatives such as fruit trees and cacao.
The crop substitution programme was agreed as part of Colombia’s peace accord, which was finally ratified in December.
The Colombian official responsible for the programme, Rafael Pardo, said the government would invest $340m (£271m), which would benefit 50,000 families.
Daily Trust
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