Afghanistan Poppy Cultivation
Afghanistan: Poppy cultivation rises in Kandahar, Helmand
Kabul: Afghanistan farmers have said cultivation of poppy for production of opium has surged in southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar this year compared to previous years.
“There is nothing else to cultivate. We were growing wheat before. This year—we want to cultivate poppy. Previously they were asking for bribes every day but we don’t have that problem this year,” a farmer told Tolo News.
TOLOnews reporter Abdullah Hamim paid a visit to the southern provinces and found that opium and other drugs are being sold in open markets.
The south of Afghanistan, which is considered a fertile area to grow wheat and other products, is seeing a surge in poppy cultivation. The two provinces of Kandahar and Helmand have been recognized as one of the top poppy producers, the news portal reported.
Mohammad Kareem is a farmer who has been growing poppy for the past 15 years. Kareem is expecting his harvest to be ready within the next month.
“If we don’t cultivate poppy, we don’t get a good return, the wheat doesn’t provide a good income,” he told the news portal.
“There are no restrictions this year. If the Taliban wanted to ban it, they must let us grow it this year at least,” Peer Mohammad, a farmer, said.
Many children have reportedly escaped education to work in poppy fields.
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