Afghanistan,since many years has been a home to poppy farming.It contributes to 90 percent of the world’s total opium production.US continuous efforts in the past to stamp out opium cultivation from Afghanistan has been in a vain,as this year’s estimated crop production may be higher than the previous year.The US government agencies had spent $420 million for the eradication of poppy in 2006 which was an insignificant amount for heroin worth $38 billion(estimated street value of the narcotic drug).

A report by an American State Department official said that the goals set by the US in 2007 for poppy eradication in Afghanistan were ‘not realistic.’

In the view of a top American official the bulk of opium production comes from the ‘areas of insurgency’ whereas the region which has been controlled by US led Karazi government has seen a great decline in the opium cultivation.US is now trying hard to cut down the “areas of insurgency” so that poppy farming is put to an end.
Taliban, under the Islamic law had reduced poppy farming in Afghanistan to a large extent. But after 2001 US invasion, poppy production increased manifolds in the southern region of Afghanistan where the vexed Taliban themselves protect the local farmers and encourage them to cultivate poppy.In return the Taliban tax them on their production and use the money to further their agenda of ousting US troops from Afghanistan.

The farmers in Afghanistan are in an impoverished state as they do not have any other source of income other than poppy farming.Income from any other crop seems to be negligible compared to the money earned from poppy farming.
Today poppy farming in Afghanistan has been like raising Diamonds.In the words of American ambassador William woods ‘if diamonds are on the ground people will try to pick them up and sell them’ so we should find some effective measures to eradicate diamonds from being grown.

Afghanistan at this stage, needs a concrete effort from the US led Karazi government and the United Nations.The farmers should be educated and provided with a more promising source of income so that they may understand the hazards of opium farming and renounce it willingly.Little awareness and help from the government can change the present picture in Afghanistan.

via:http://www.reuters.com
Image source:http://news.bbc.co.uk