UN: Opium cultivation in Afghanistan rises by 19%

Despite a formal ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a 19% increase in cultivation in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Taliban has reportedly struggled to enforce the ban effectively.

The report reveals that in 2023, poppy cultivation covered approximately 10,800 hectares. This figure rose to 12,800 hectares in 2024, reflecting an expansion despite ongoing restrictions.

Released on Wednesday, the UNODC report noted a particular rise in poppy cultivation in northeastern Afghanistan. Additionally, the price of dry opium has reached around $730 per kilogram, indicating a profitable illegal market.

The UN emphasized the need to support Afghan farmers to help them transition away from illegal markets. Such support is deemed essential for reducing dependency on poppy cultivation.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, expressed that Afghanistan’s relatively low poppy cultivation levels present an opportunity to aid farmers in finding sustainable, legal income sources.

Waly added that both men and women in Afghanistan continue to face severe economic and humanitarian challenges, creating an urgent need for alternative livelihoods to replace poppy farming.

The UN findings highlighted a geographic shift in cultivation patterns. While southwestern provinces were the traditional hub until 2023, northeastern regions now account for 59% of poppy cultivation in 2024.

This shift represents a 381% increase in poppy farming in these northeastern provinces since 2023. Efforts to eradicate poppy crops have been met with resistance; the Taliban faced protests, particularly in Badakhshan, where violent crackdowns led to casualties.

The continued rise in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, despite prohibitions, reveals the complex dependency of Afghan farmers on this crop for economic survival. Without providing viable, sustainable income alternatives, anti-poppy efforts are likely to face further resistance, challenging both regional security and counter-narcotic goals.

A balanced approach, combining crop eradication with substantial livelihood support, is crucial to reducing reliance on illegal economies and fostering a stable, lawful future for Afghan communities.

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