Taliban Ban on Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan Leads to 95% Decline: UN

Poppy cultivation and opium production in Afghanistan have plummeted by over 90% since the Taliban banned the crop in April 2022, according to a UN report. Poppy cultivation has dropped by around 95%, while opium production has fallen from 6,200 tonnes to 333 tonnes. This has dealt a major blow to Afghan farmers, resulting in a staggering $1bn drop in revenue. While this decline could help combat the illicit opium trade, it also poses risks to a vulnerable population that relied on the poppy trade for their livelihood. Afghanistan continues to face a humanitarian crisis, with over 40% of the population suffering from acute food insecurity.