Afghanistan opium poppy supply plummets 95% after Taliban ban, U.N. says

[discocrisco01]

Source: Reuters

Opium poppy production in Afghanistan, previously the world's top supplier, has plummeted since the Taliban administration banned the cultivation of narcotics last year, a United Nations report said on Sunday.

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said opium cultivation fell throughout the country to just 10,800 hectares (26,700 acres) in 2023 from 233,000 hectares the previous year, slashing supply by 95% to 333 tons.

This was putting pressure on farmers in the war-torn country, where most people depend on agriculture and the value of poppy exports had at times outstripped the value of all formal exported goods, UNODC said.

The sharp decline could have major consequences for the economy in a country where around two-thirds of the population are already in need of humanitarian aid, the report said.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghanistan-opium-poppy-supply-plummets-95-after-taliban-ban-un-2023-11-05/

[padah513]

1. Even a broken clock is right twice a day

That's the only thing they've done that I agree with.

[Polybius]

3. There was one other thing last year

When ISIS declared war on them, and the Taliban banned/killed any ISIS members in Afghanistan.

[cstanleytech]

6. Unless its a digital one on a phone that's out of power.

[Polybius]

2. Yay Taliban?

Eww, I need a shower now.

[Mr.Bill]

4. I have a nephew who did a tour over there

with the Marines. His job? Guarding a poppy field. Seriously.

[enid602]

5. drugs

The downside to a decrease in poppy production is that cheaper, even more damaging drugs quickly flood the market.

[John Shaft]

8. That market is already flooded with fentanyl.

Has been for awhile.

[enid602]

9. Fentanyl

And others as well. Seems like it all started with over prescribing OxyContin.

[JI7]

7. They are looking make money from tourism

They have invited travel youtubers that go there and talk about what a great time they had.

They are even tryng to make money from where those giant buddhists they destroyed were. You can buy tickets to see it. They are attempting to recreate it.