Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan Rises by 19% Despite Taliban Ban, UNODC Report Reveals

Despite the Taliban’s official ban on poppy cultivation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported a 19% increase in Afghanistan’s poppy cultivation for 2024 compared to the previous year.

According to the United Nations, the Taliban have struggled to control poppy production effectively this year.

The UN’s data indicates that the area dedicated to poppy cultivation rose from 10,800 hectares last year to 12,800 hectares this year. Published on Wednesday, the report highlights that most of this increase has occurred in Afghanistan’s northeastern regions, where the price of dry opium has surged to around $730 per kilogram.

The United Nations emphasised the importance of supporting Afghan farmers to reduce their reliance on illegal markets. “As poppy cultivation in Afghanistan remains at a manageable level, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to help Afghan farmers build sustainable sources of income independent of illegal markets,” stated Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of UNODC. She added that Afghan communities, facing severe financial and humanitarian challenges, urgently need alternative livelihoods.

‘Changing Geography of Poppy Cultivation’

According to UNODC findings, the geographical focus of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has shifted significantly. Until 2023, the southwestern provinces traditionally served as the primary poppy-growing areas. However, in 2024, 59% of Afghanistan’s poppy cultivation occurred in the northeastern provinces, representing a 381% increase in these areas compared to the previous year.

Efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan face ongoing challenges. This year, Taliban forces reportedly used violent tactics to suppress several protests by farmers during poppy field eradication operations, particularly in Badakhshan province. In one instance, the crackdown on protesting villagers in Badakhshan resulted in at least seven deaths.

The protesting farmers criticised the Taliban’s inability to provide viable alternative crops, arguing that the destruction of poppy fields without offering sustainable income options would exacerbate poverty for many families.

The issue of poppy eradication and the development of alternative livelihoods was also a central topic at the recent third Doha meeting, attended by the Taliban and special representatives from regional countries. At the meeting, participants pledged to collaborate with the Taliban through specific working groups dedicated to the eradication of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.