Monday
July 17
2023

Coca Price Crash Contributing to Colombia Food Insecurity, UN Says

By Oliver Griffin

A crash in the price of coca, the chief ingredient in cocaine, is contributing to food insecurity in Colombia and causing displacement, as people leave areas that depend on the illicit crop, according to an internal United Nations presentation seen by Reuters.

Historically coca crops have provided better incomes than legal alternatives for thousands of rural Colombian families, with drug-trafficking groups often footing the costs of transport, fertilizers and other supplies.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Schimmeck.

Source: Reuters (link opens in a new window)

Categories
Agriculture
Tags
food security