Opium cultivation in Afghanistan to decline despite high prices – UN

Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is expected to decline slightly this year despite the current high prices of opium, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said today, basing the information on a qualitative assessment of farmers’ intentions in the Asian country.

“The findings of the Opium Winter Rapid Assessment Survey in the southern region are encouraging,” said Yury Fedotov, the Executive Director of UNODC.

“A combination of factors seemed to have contributed to this development – dry weather, efforts directed against poppy cultivation and towards increasing government control, as well as licit alternatives to poppy,” he added.

Planted poppy seeds start to germinate in winter in the main opium producing provinces in the southern, western and eastern areas of Afghanistan, while sowing takes place later in the north, according to UNODC.

The expected decline in opium cultivation, as well as prolonged drought in the south may lead to another year of reduced opium production, the agency said. An outbreak of opium blight last year cut production by half and caused prices to soar.

The survey once again highlighted the direct correlation between insecurity, lack of agricultural aid and opium cultivation, UNODC noted. Villages considered insecure and lacking agricultural assistance are more likely to grow poppy this year than those with better security and assistance.

An estimated 90 per cent of insecure villages are involved in opium cultivation, while those targeted by anti-poppy awareness campaigns are significantly less likely to grow poppy, the agency reported.