All articles tagged with #poppy cultivation
The UN reports a significant decline in Afghanistan's opium cultivation following the Taliban's 2022 ban, with a 20% reduction in land area and a 32% drop in opium production, though farmers face economic hardships and some continue illicit cultivation. Meanwhile, synthetic drug trafficking has increased.
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.