Afghanistan’s Kandahar Completes $1.3 Million Opium Alternative Farming Project
The Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Kandahar has announced the full implementation of an alternative opium poppy cultivation project in four districts of the province. The program was financially supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Mohammad Hanif, spokesperson for the directorate, stated that the project was carried out in the districts of Ragistan, Shawalikot, Khakrez, and Khork. The initiative aims to provide farmers with sustainable livelihood options to replace opium poppy cultivation.
According to Hanif, improved seeds of cotton, legumes, and vegetables, chemical fertilizers, wheat harvesting machines, agricultural productivity enhancement tools, agricultural kits, beekeeping equipment, and dairy collection centers were distributed under the program. Additionally, animal vaccinations were carried out to support livestock owners.
The project was implemented over 22 months with a budget of $1.3 million. Kandahar, a southern Afghan province, has seen opium poppy cultivation in some areas in recent years. Alternative livelihood programs have been proposed as key strategies to reduce farmers’ dependence on poppy cultivation.
However, some experts believe that the continued success of such initiatives depends on sustained programs, transparent monitoring of aid distribution, and the establishment of markets for alternative products.
