Kaungkha lies in Kutkhine Township in Northern Shan State, the Union of Myanmar. Kaungkha, Kachin Peace region, was established on 1992 as the special Region-5 according to the development of border area and national races programmes. There are over 300 households in Kaungkha and the majority are Kachin nationals. From Myo Oo Pagoda, which was built in 2002 on the top of the hill at the entrance to town, you can see the over-all view of the whole town.

Hospital, Basic Education High School, Roman Catholic Church, Baptist Church, Post and Telecommunication Office and the busy market are included in the characteristic of this town. Regional Products from near by villages are also sold at the 5-day market. In the past, this region was mostly covered with poppy plantations, which was the bad legacy of the colonial times. Because of anti-narcotic drugs campaign by the State and People,

U Ma Htu Naw

A large amount of poppy was cultivated in this region. The poppy was destroyed with the cooperation of the State and KDA. After that, we started the poppy substitute crops cultivations and we grew all kinds of crops suitable to the topography.

After destroying the poppy, we planted tea, corn, paddy, beans, wheat and long-staple crops. And realizing their misdeeds the former poppy growers joined in the cultivation of substitute crops.

In 2001, 100 acres of tea was planted with the assistance of the government, and 300 acres of highland farm was formed in 2002, and all kinds of crops were also being grown.

The government provided fund, technicians and machines for this project and we provided rabour. Now, we are witnessing the fruit of success.

Due to the cooperation between the government and the local people Kaungkha has been declared an opium free region and it is now covered with agricultural works. The town of Kaungkha will be prosperous in the near future.