Afghanistan Peace CampaignAccording to this organization, this issue has affected the livelihoods of 7 million people, including women and low-income workers.
The International Crisis Group has reported that following the decree of the Islamic Emirate’s leader, poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has decreased by 95%.
According to this organization, this issue has affected the livelihoods of 7 million people, including women and low-income workers.
The report also states that farmers have lost $1.3 billion dollars or 8% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
The International Crisis Group’s report mentions: “By UN estimates, the halt to opium farming has affected the livelihoods of almost seven million people. These individuals are unlikely to find other work in a stagnant economy burdened with sanctions. Farmers have lost an estimated $1.3 billion annually, or 8 percent of GDP in 2023.”
“My request to the government is to provide us with something in return for poppy cultivation so that we can strengthen our economy. Whether it is wheat, maize, or mung beans, it does not improve our economy,” said Noor Mohammad, a farmer.
“We have repeatedly requested the Islamic Emirate to provide us with an alternative to poppy cultivation, but they have not adequately addressed our request,” said Eid-ul-Mateen, another farmer.
Another part of the report states that the anti-narcotics strategy benefits many foreign players and creates opportunities for donors to support Afghanistan’s economic stability and create jobs in non-agricultural sectors.
Regional countries should support Afghanistan’s integration into transport networks and trade arrangements for their own benefits and the stability of their neighborhood.
“If the international community, international organizations, and the Islamic Emirate genuinely want to bring poppy cultivation and drug production in our country to zero, they must first establish political engagement and allow international aid to flow into our country,” said Ahmad Khan Andar, a military analyst.
Meanwhile, Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said efforts are ongoing to provide alternative crops to farmers in the country.
Fitrat said: “Last week, the first meeting took place. It is hoped that after the activities of this commission, the farmers who have been affected by the ban on poppy cultivation — and it is a clear fact that the majority of the Afghan people are farmers — will be provided with alternative crops to meet their needs.”
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly highlighted that drug cultivation in the country has almost reached zero.