KABUL (SW) – Farmers who have abandoned poppy cultivation over the past year are now expressing frustration about the lack of access to improved seeds for alternative crops.
Ayanuddin, a farmer from the Argo district of Badakhshan, explains that the de-facto government’s failure to distribute these seeds has led to economic hardships. “We are facing greater economic problems. If the Islamic Emirate distributes alternative crops, we will not cultivate poppy anymore, and both the government and we will avoid difficulties. But if alternative crops are not provided, we will have no choice but to return to poppy cultivation for our livelihood.”
Ziyarmal, another farmer from Zabul province, calls on the de-facto government to provide farmers with improved seeds for alternative crops. “The government must help us by supplying improved seeds so we can change our lives.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MoAIL) claim that over 100,000 farmers in various provinces have already received support for alternative crop cultivation.
Misbahuddin Mustaeen, a spokesperson for the ministry, says that a five-year plan has been developed to provide livelihood alternatives to farmers.
“Distribution of alternative crops, chemical fertilizers, and pest control measures, along with improvements to grape cultivation systems, are among the initiatives undertaken. Hundreds of thousands of farmers have benefited from these livelihood programs. Our ministry has specific plans to support farmers who have ceased poppy cultivation and aims to play a significant role in promoting alternative crops.”
Since regaining power, the Islamic Emirate has banned the cultivation and production of narcotics in Afghanistan and has reported the eradication of thousands of hectares of poppy fields.
The de-facto Interior Ministry officials note that numerous awareness campaigns have been conducted to reduce poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.
Bismillah Habib, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, says, “The Anti-Narcotics Police have cleared thousands of hectares of land of poppy since the beginning of this year and have organized multiple awareness campaigns to prevent narcotics cultivation.”
The International Crisis Group has previously stated that the ban on poppy cultivation by the Islamic Emirate has disproportionately affected poor labourers and rural women who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
