Taliban's Poppy Ban Costs Afghan Farmers Over $1 Billion in Income

Afghan farmers have lost over $1 billion in income from opium sales after the Taliban banned poppy cultivation, causing a 95% crash in opium cultivation. The ban has had far-reaching consequences for the country, as opiate exports accounted for a significant portion of Afghanistan's GDP. The UNODC has called for urgent humanitarian assistance and investment in sustainable livelihoods to help Afghans transition away from opium. The downturn, coupled with the halt of international financing, is driving people into poverty, hunger, and addiction, while also fueling the growth of other illegal activities such as arms and drug trafficking.