Across several provinces of Afghanistan, farmers who once relied on opium cultivation but have since abandoned the practice are voicing their concerns. Despite their efforts to shift away from illegal crops, many have yet to receive the promised support for alternative farming options from either the de-facto government or aid organizations.
Amir Khan, a farmer from Helmand who planted wheat this year, shares that his harvest was poor, urging the government to provide alternative crops. He said: “For several years, we have been told not to plant opium, and in return, we were promised improved seed distribution. This year, we planted wheat, but the yield has been disappointing.”
Abdul Rahim, a farmer from Zabul, planted alfalfa on his land this year but complains about the low income from selling his crop. He says, “We were told not to plant poppies, and we would be provided with an alternative. Unfortunately, we have not yet received any alternative crops that could help us generate a good income.”
Other farmers who had previously cultivated opium poppies are calling on the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of the Islamic Emirate to distribute improved seeds. Wajehuddin, a farmer from the Argo district of Badakhshan, says, “Our request to the Islamic Emirate is to distribute alternative crops. We have stopped planting opium and now need assistance.”
Officials from the ministry, however, claim that over the past three years, alternative crops have been distributed to hundreds of thousands of farmers across Afghanistan.
Saying that wheat, saffron, and other improved seeds have been distributed, ministry’s spokesperson, Misbahuddin Mustaeen, says, “We urge donor countries and organizations to provide improved seeds to farmers.”
Recently, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) hosted a meeting in Kabul to discuss counter-narcotics efforts, supporting the private sector, and providing alternative livelihoods for Afghan farmers.
