Poppy production fell by 95% under the Taliban - UN
Since 2021, when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, poppy cultivation in the country has decreased by 95 percent. According to the UN, it has achieved this through measures such as the fight against drug production, the arrest of drug users, the destruction of crops and the closure of markets.
A campaign against drug production and distribution by the Taliban government since taking power in Afghanistan in 2021 has led to a 95 percent drop in poppy cultivation, the UN reports.
The International Crisis Group's report, Afghanistan's Opium Challenge: The Taliban's War on Drugs, details the movement's efforts to crack down on drug production, arresting users, destroying crops and shutting down markets. According to the report, the campaign was slow at first , but soon gained momentum.
The movement that came to power began with simple goals, such as arresting drug users and warning farmers who have been growing poppies for centuries . When soft measures failed, the government sent in security forces to confront the farmers and destroy their crops.
The report notes that the Afghan government's new ban will affect nearly 7 million people, especially poor workers and rural women who cannot find other jobs in an economy under international sanctions. Drug-trafficking mayors lose an estimated $1.3 billion annually, which is 8 percent of Afghanistan's GDP in 2023. The economic shock is exacerbated by the Taliban's limited ability to provide alternative sources of income to its citizens.
Although many farmers have switched to growing grains and cotton, they are still experiencing difficulties. On the other hand, after the ban, big traders and big landowners got rich by selling their stock at higher prices, UN experts added.
The country's government lacks funds for agricultural development such as irrigation projects, warehouses and roads is also facing serious problems . The report highlighted the need for international support to combat drug trafficking and create jobs.
In this regard, the future of the ban remains uncertain. Some experts believe that economic pressure may force the Taliban to tone down its use. The report also notes that during the early years of the movement's rule, Afghanistan produced 75 percent of the world's narcotics.
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