Afghanistan News: UNODC Reports Significant Decrease, Leading to Shift Towards Wheat Farming

Afghanistan Latest News: In a significant development, opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has witnessed a staggering decline of 95 percent after the country's acting government implemented a ban on the drug in April 2022, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Once a global hotspot for opium production, Afghanistan has seen a remarkable reduction in opium cultivation, as per the latest UNODC report. The area dedicated to opium poppy farming has shrunk from a staggering 233,000 hectares to a mere 10,800 hectares in 2023. This drastic reduction has resulted in a remarkable 95 percent decrease in opium supply, plummeting from 6,200 tons to 332 tons in the same year.

The ban on opium cultivation has had a profound economic impact on Afghan farmers. The UNODC report highlights a staggering reduction of over 1 billion dollars in farmers' income due to the prohibition of opium crops. This financial toll underscores the significant role opium had played in the agricultural and economic landscape of the country.

A noteworthy consequence of this transformation is the shift in agricultural practices. The UNODC report notes that several Afghan farmers, particularly in Farah, Helmand, Kandahar, and Nangarhar provinces, have transitioned away from opium cultivation towards "grain cultivation," with an overall increase of 160,000 hectares dedicated to wheat farming. This shift in focus reflects a positive stride towards more sustainable and legal farming practices, aligning with the country's efforts to combat the drug trade.

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