Amid the opium fields
Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of opium, most of which comes from the country's restive and impoverished Shan state.
Members of an armed group named the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have been destroying poppy plantations in the region. Nevertheless, opium production in Myanmar soared by over a quarter last year according to a United Nations report.
A member of the TNLA keeps watch before the group destroys a poppy field.
A girl peers out of her hut in Mantong township, northern Shan state.
A family sits by their hut as soldiers destroy a nearby poppy field.
A family passes the time in Nanbarkyaing village as fighters eradicate a poppy plantation.
Children watch a Taang National Liberation Army soldier.
Eike Tun, a 40-year-old opium worker who earns 200,000 kyats ($200) per season, sits on the ground as the TNLA destroys poppy plants.
A member of the TNLA balances his weapon on his shoulder during the destruction of an opium field.
A fighter sets fire to poppy plants.
Thirty-year-old Eike Nyi, an opium field worker who earns 2,000 kyats ($2) per day, stands next to his burning hut as fighters destroy a poppy field.
Eike Tun, a 40-year-old poppy field worker, removes his belongings as members of the TNLA set fire to his hut.
TNLA fighters walk away from a burning field.
