GHOR (SW) – The increase in poppy cultivation in Ghor has worried the residents and civil activists of this province.
They say that the farmers of this province have extensively planted poppy in their agricultural lands this year compared to any other year. Residents and civil activists of Ghor warn that if the harvesting is not stopped, many young people will become addicted.
Zabihullah, one of the civil activists of Ghor, says: “People who came from outside to the province of Ghor have cultivated cannabis and also opium in the district of Dawlatyar. We are very worried about this issue and we expect the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the local administration of Ghor to stop the cultivation of cannabis and opium.”
Gulkhan, a resident of Dalutiyar district, says: “My expectation from the government is to destroy this weed, instead of it, people will plant something else that will benefit the people. We request that the government destroy this cultivation. Young people will become addicts, people’s lives are ruined.”
Residents and civil activists of Ghor add that the most drug cultivation has taken place in the western areas of Firouzkoh city, the center of this province, and Dawlatyar district.
However, a number of farmers in Dawlatyar district say that due to the lack of modified seeds, lack of agricultural facilities and unemployment, they are forced to turn to poppy cultivation.
31-year-old Mohammad Essa, one of the farmers of Dalutyar district, who has planted opium on a part of his agricultural land, told Salam Watandar: “We know opium is harmful to the health of young people, I request the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to us, to provide us with modified seeds, potatoes, onions and some things that are very useful instead of opium and cannabis. »
Meanwhile, Abdul Hai Zaim, the head of information and culture of Ghor, says that the cultivation of narcotic substances is prohibited throughout the country, and violators will be dealt with legally.
“No one is allowed to plant these crops. The Mujahideen will stop those people, or the people who cultivate it whether they are from Ghor province or from other provinces, they will be stopped and no one will be allowed to cultivate opium, hashish and its equivalents”.
It is not yet clear how much agricultural land has been cultivated in Ghor with poppy this year. However, according to the statements of the residents and civil activists of Ghor, about 2,000 to 3,000 acres of agricultural land in this province has been cultivated with poppy.
ENDS
