Lima, June 13 (Andina-RHC) -- The head of Peru’s drug-fighting agency Devida, Alberto Otarola, said the country is on the right track to eradicate an estimated 30,000 hectares of illegally grown coca leaf this year.

“Peru’s government goal this year is to eradicate at least 30,000 hectares of coca bushes. More than 12,800 hectares have been wiped out so far, about half the number targeted, we are doing a good job,” he claimed.

He told Radio Nacional the good news is that cultivation of coca bushes was down 17.5 percent this year, a historic record on the eradication of illegal coca crops.

Government figures show that, in 2011, Peru had 60,400 hectares under production, but the crop is now down to 49,800.

“Cultivation fell by 20 percent in 34 months, record unsurpassed by all previous administrations,” he added. The government is attempting to reduce the area planted to coca leaf, relying heavily on a process of manually removing the plants.

It is worth mentioning that some coca leaf is produced legally in Peru and used in traditional medicines.