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During a recent survey undertaken with the aid of satellites, helicopters, and local intelligence, the government found 1,147 hectares of illicit opium growing in the country's central and northern provinces.
According to Vientiane Times, some authorities at the meeting expressed their belief that the production figures would be much higher if a comprehensive study was conducted across the country.
Illicit crops are mostly concealed in remote, mountainous, and densely forested areas.
At the meeting, the Deputy PM advised authorities to take preventative measures in remote communities and discourage farmers from planting the crops initially.
He also recommended that provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department officials increase efforts to encourage legal farming practices such as cultivation of vegetables or animal husbandry.
Officials from the agricultural sector have been asked to conduct surveys and identify areas which would be most suitable for farmers to grow crops or raise livestock.
The Deputy PM also suggested that increased accessibility through infrastructure construction such as roads might help create new jobs.
Farmers resume cultivation of opium crops largely due to lack of job opportunities.
In 1998, there were approximately 27,000 hectares of opium poppies in the country. After concerted efforts by government, that number was reduced to less than 1,500 hectares and the country was declared largely free of the crop.
In 2008, poppy cultivation was estimated at 1,600 hectares, but the number steadily increased to 5,000 hectares in 2012. Throughout 2013, opium cultivation appeared to have been reduced to some 3,900-4,000 hectares.
