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Afghan opium production drops: UN | Afghan opium production drops: UN |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The area of poppy production in Afghanistan and the yield of opium from these crops have reduced this year compared with 2007, a UN report says. | The area of poppy production in Afghanistan and the yield of opium from these crops have reduced this year compared with 2007, a UN report says. |
It says more than half of the country's 34 provinces are now poppy-free - up from 13 provinces in 2007 to 18. | It says more than half of the country's 34 provinces are now poppy-free - up from 13 provinces in 2007 to 18. |
But the southern Helmand region, where Taleban rebels are active, accounts for nearly 66% of all the opium production. | But the southern Helmand region, where Taleban rebels are active, accounts for nearly 66% of all the opium production. |
Afghanistan still remains the world's biggest opium producer. The opium poppy is used to obtain heroin. | Afghanistan still remains the world's biggest opium producer. The opium poppy is used to obtain heroin. |
See a map of opium production | See a map of opium production |
The reduction comes after the record-breaking poppy harvest in 2007, the UN report says. | The reduction comes after the record-breaking poppy harvest in 2007, the UN report says. |
AFGHANISTAN'S OPIUM Poppy cultivation:2007 - 193,000 hectares2008 - 157,000 hectaresPotential opium production:2007 - 8,200 metric tonnes2008 - 7,700 metric tonnesPoppy-cultivating provinces:2007 - 212008 - 16Poppy-free provinces:2007 - 132008 - 18Source: UN | AFGHANISTAN'S OPIUM Poppy cultivation:2007 - 193,000 hectares2008 - 157,000 hectaresPotential opium production:2007 - 8,200 metric tonnes2008 - 7,700 metric tonnesPoppy-cultivating provinces:2007 - 212008 - 16Poppy-free provinces:2007 - 132008 - 18Source: UN |
It declares that that "opium flood waters in Afghanistan have started to recede". | It declares that that "opium flood waters in Afghanistan have started to recede". |
But one Western official who works on the poppy issue has said that any progress has been "fragile" and gains could be reversed in the next year. | But one Western official who works on the poppy issue has said that any progress has been "fragile" and gains could be reversed in the next year. |
There is one glaring example, however, of where things have not gone right. | There is one glaring example, however, of where things have not gone right. |
The southern province of Helmand, where British troops are fighting a fierce counter-insurgency campaign against the Taleban, now produces nearly two-thirds of Afghanistan's opium - up from about 50% last year. | The southern province of Helmand, where British troops are fighting a fierce counter-insurgency campaign against the Taleban, now produces nearly two-thirds of Afghanistan's opium - up from about 50% last year. |
The British ambassador to Afghanistan, Sherard Cowper-Coles, put a brave face on it. | The British ambassador to Afghanistan, Sherard Cowper-Coles, put a brave face on it. |
"We're not satisfied and we will never be satisfied until we really start squeezing poppy cultivation out of the Helmand economy," he said. | |
"We have an extremely competent governor in Helmand who has a plan in the next few months for getting farmers to switch from poppy cultivation in the coming season," Mr Cowper-Coles said. | "We have an extremely competent governor in Helmand who has a plan in the next few months for getting farmers to switch from poppy cultivation in the coming season," Mr Cowper-Coles said. |
'Inextricable link' | 'Inextricable link' |
The international community wants to prevent heroin, which is derived from opium, flooding the streets of Western Europe and the US. | The international community wants to prevent heroin, which is derived from opium, flooding the streets of Western Europe and the US. |
But just as importantly, the multimillion dollar trade in poppy production is used to fuel the insurgency. | But just as importantly, the multimillion dollar trade in poppy production is used to fuel the insurgency. |
It allow militants to purchase weapons with which they than attack the Afghan government and international forces, destabilising the region. | It allow militants to purchase weapons with which they than attack the Afghan government and international forces, destabilising the region. |
According to the UN report, 98% of the country's opium is grown in just seven provinces where there are permanent Taleban settlements and where organised crime profits from the instability. | According to the UN report, 98% of the country's opium is grown in just seven provinces where there are permanent Taleban settlements and where organised crime profits from the instability. |
This, the report said, "shows the inextricable link between drugs and the conflict". | This, the report said, "shows the inextricable link between drugs and the conflict". |
Report recommendations | Report recommendations |
The report's authors say they are two key factors to explain the countrywide reduction in poppy production. | The report's authors say they are two key factors to explain the countrywide reduction in poppy production. |
One reason is strong political and religious leadership, particularly in the eastern province of Nangahar, for pressuring farmers not to grow the crop. | One reason is strong political and religious leadership, particularly in the eastern province of Nangahar, for pressuring farmers not to grow the crop. |
The other is the drought this year, which led to a large-scale crop failure in the north and north-west of the country. | The other is the drought this year, which led to a large-scale crop failure in the north and north-west of the country. |
Another way of reducing poppy production is eradication of the crop. | Another way of reducing poppy production is eradication of the crop. |
However, the report says there was a dramatic reduction in crop eradication - down to 25% compared with last year. | However, the report says there was a dramatic reduction in crop eradication - down to 25% compared with last year. |
This is often a dangerous job, inflaming locals as their harvest is ruined, and a number of Afghans were killed while doing this work. | This is often a dangerous job, inflaming locals as their harvest is ruined, and a number of Afghans were killed while doing this work. |
In terms of reducing poppy production next year, the report's authors offer a number of suggestions. | In terms of reducing poppy production next year, the report's authors offer a number of suggestions. |
These include focusing on the west of the country. Although opium cultivation is lower there, the insurgency is weaker, making it easier to get effective results. | These include focusing on the west of the country. Although opium cultivation is lower there, the insurgency is weaker, making it easier to get effective results. |
They also suggest rewarding good performance by providing greater aid assistance to poppy-free provinces, strengthening the legal system in order to prosecute large drug dealers and having greater regional co-operation over dealing with the issue. | They also suggest rewarding good performance by providing greater aid assistance to poppy-free provinces, strengthening the legal system in order to prosecute large drug dealers and having greater regional co-operation over dealing with the issue. |
But for many poppy farmers the crop offers them the best chance of earning a decent wage. | But for many poppy farmers the crop offers them the best chance of earning a decent wage. |
And until they are offered the chance of decent alternative livelihood - or face a massive crackdown - they will be planting the poppies this October, just as they did last year, in time for harvest next spring. | And until they are offered the chance of decent alternative livelihood - or face a massive crackdown - they will be planting the poppies this October, just as they did last year, in time for harvest next spring. |
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