UN Warns of Rising Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan Amid Climate Pressures
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned about the growing impact of climate change on the economic conditions of rural communities in Afghanistan, leading to increased poppy cultivation.
According to the UN agency, limited access to resources for cultivating legal crops has driven Afghan farmers toward growing poppies, the primary source of opium.
In a statement released on Monday, November 9, on its official website, the UNODC urged regional countries and partner institutions to prioritize building resilience against climate change effects as a strategy to prevent the expansion of drug production.
A previous UNODC report stated that while poppy cultivation in Afghanistan had decreased by around 20 percent in 2025, the income of farmers involved in this sector had significantly dropped—nearly halved.
The agency also expressed concern over the increasing return of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, which has placed additional pressure on both the labor market and natural resources. This situation, the agency warned, could push more people toward illegal opium cultivation.
In the absence of a structured plan by the Taliban administration to address climate change consequences and promote alternative livelihoods, conditions have become more conducive for the expansion of poppy cultivation and drug trafficking activities in Afghanistan.
