Afghanistan Remains Silent following Trump's labeling of it as one of the 'unsuccessful' nations in the global war on drugs
In a remarkable turn of events, the United Nations (UN) has reported a 95% drop in opium cultivation in Afghanistan between 2022 and 2023. This drastic decrease, according to UN data, brought the opium cultivation area down to 10,800 hectares.
This significant reduction has been welcomed by Ghada Waly, the executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who stated that it presents 'a real opportunity to build long-term results against the illicit opium market.'
However, the UN has warned that these gains are fragile and require sustained effort. The UNODC recorded a 19% increase in opium cultivation in 2024, with the area under cultivation rising to 12,800 hectares.
The decline in opium production has left millions of rural Afghans vulnerable, as the collapse of the opium economy has been their primary source of income. The UN has urged long-term investment to replace the profits that once came from opium.
Kabul has taken steps to address this issue by implementing concrete support measures over recent months. These efforts aim to reduce reliance on the opium economy and support rural development. The measures include promoting alternative crops, improving agricultural infrastructure, and providing vocational training and development programs to transition farmers to legal and sustainable income sources.
The de facto authorities in Afghanistan have also claimed that drug cultivation has plummeted since their 2022 ban on poppy planting. Taliban officials have pointed to this reduction as evidence of their success in achieving what no previous Afghan government managed.
However, experts caution that without sustained funding for alternative livelihoods, farmers may return to illicit crops. The revenues from the 2023 harvest were about US$110 million, a stark contrast to the US$1.36 billion generated the year before. Production of raw opium fell from 6,200 tons to 333 tons over the same period.
The United States has named Afghanistan among a list of countries that have failed to meet international counternarcotics obligations over the past year. Trump's designation could affect the flow of certain types of U.S. assistance. Washington continues to channel humanitarian and health aid through the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to avoid direct engagement with Taliban institutions.
Despite these efforts, Kabul has yet to respond directly to Trump's announcement. Taliban officials' claims of achieving what no previous Afghan government managed in reducing poppy cultivation remain unchallenged.
The UN has also warned that more than two-thirds of Afghanistan's population now needs humanitarian assistance. Around 15 million people in Afghanistan are facing acute food insecurity. The challenges are numerous, but with continued commitment and investment, a brighter future for Afghanistan can be achieved.
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