(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY ANLI XIAO
ANCHOR ADAM FALK
You're watching multisource world video news analysis from Newsy.
Afghanistan is the target again. The poppy plant capital of the world is reportedly increasing its production of opium. According to the UN’s Afghanistan Opium Survey 2011 Summary findings…
The total hectares for opium poppy cultivation increased 7% this year compared to 2010, and the potential opium production is estimated to grow by 61% in 2011. The report says the main reasons are surging price and insecurity.
Afghanistan was expected to decrease its opium harvest after Afghan authorities launched its eradication program, but the production is still surging. Some opium farmers say it’s simply about make a living. The Australian reports one farmer…
“...would be happy to grow wheat but the low prices, higher labour costs and insufficient water supplies made it impossible...”
Another farmer says…
“It takes three years to make money from saffron, …will I be alive in three years?”
Some analysts believe it’s not just the farmers who need the money, according to Wall Street Journal…
“A network of Afghan power brokers, warlords, military commanders and politicians also conspire to keep the profitable business alive…”
And this has the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime concerned. In an UNODC statement, he talks about a link between profits and insurgency.
“We cannot afford to ignore the record profits for non-farmers, such as traders and insurgents, which in turn fuel corruption, criminality and instability. This is a distressing situation.”
So how to address the issue? The BBC reports experts say any solution should be Afghan-specific and should...
“…start by trying to win the hearts and minds of farmers and understanding their daily needs…. [A] long term solution might be the international community funds the Afghan government…to purchase crops from farmers at consistent and fair prices … [T]he country's agricultural and irrigation infrastructure must be upgraded.”
Transcript by Newsy.
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