FAIZABAD (SW) – Efforts to combat poppy cultivation in Badakhshan province have been halted amid lack of funds.
Mohammad Qaid Aafand, head of the counter-narcotics directorate in the province, said previously the efforts were financially backed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other aid agencies. He added this year, the drive was halted and farmers have collected their yield from an area over 5000 hectors.
One of the poppy farmers, Bahruddin told Salam Watandar that the farmers faced no impediments in cultivation this year. He added this trend is continuing as the counter-narcotics teams are not visiting the fields to destroy the poppy.
The local civil society is concerned by this situation in the province that has paved way for expansion of poppy cultivation.
A local civil society activist, Abdul Samad said there have been no apparent efforts on the part of the government to eliminate poppy cultivations in the province this year.
Commenting on this, spokesman the provincial police headquarters, Sanaullah Ruhani said the security forces are occupied with counter-terrorism operations amid growing security concerns in the province.
According to official figures, poppy was cultivated on some 6000 hectors of land last year, but half of it was destroyed by the counter-narcotics department.
ENDS
