Taliban have begun enforcing ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan
- 2 years ago
The Taliban have begun enforcing a ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. This is a significant turnaround from April, when the Taliban told us, that despite their official ban, they weren't enforcing it.
Farmers are suffering, Afghanistan is facing a drought and a worsening economic situation -- and poppy cultivation pays.
Upwards of 300 dollars a month for those harvesting opium from poppies. Opium also generates significant income for the Taliban and Afghanistan. Nearly 3 Billion dollars in 2021, which is between 6 per cent to 11 per cent of the country's GDP. But all this also contributes to the world's drugs trade. And pressure is high to curb it.
Farmers are suffering, Afghanistan is facing a drought and a worsening economic situation -- and poppy cultivation pays.
Upwards of 300 dollars a month for those harvesting opium from poppies. Opium also generates significant income for the Taliban and Afghanistan. Nearly 3 Billion dollars in 2021, which is between 6 per cent to 11 per cent of the country's GDP. But all this also contributes to the world's drugs trade. And pressure is high to curb it.