The Cranfield University in the United Kingdom said on Monday that their researchers are helping the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) powered programme that would monitor the crops used for illicit opium production in Afghanistan. According to the university, the&nbsp;AI programme would interpret data from satellites to track where the poppy cultivation, used for drug production, takes place.&nbsp;

The university shared the news months after the UN agency conducted a survey which showed that opium cultivation in Afghanistan was up by 32 per cent, it was also the first report since the Taliban had banned the cultivation of opium poppy and all narcotics in April 2022, after they took over the year before. At least 80 per cent of all illicit opium is produced in Kabul, the UNODC said and this increase in cultivation made&nbsp;last year's&nbsp;crop the third largest area under cultivation since monitoring began.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-running-campaign-to-eradicate-poppy-cultivation-in-afghanistan-484674">Taliban running campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan</a>

“This is a hugely significant project to be involved with. In terms of Afghanistan, we’re talking about opium production on a grand scale – something like the combined size of 500,000 rugby pitches – so a huge amount of cultivation,” said Dr Daniel Simms, a professor in Remote Sensing at Cranfield University. He also noted how automating the monitoring process would save many hours. The partnership between the UN and the university will last until July 2023.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-taliban-chops-off-the-hands-of-four-men-flogs-couple-for-pre-marital-sex-553618">Gravitas: Taliban chops off the hands of four men, flogs couple for pre-marital sex</a>

According to the UNODC findings, since the Taliban imposed the ban, opium prices have soared while the income of farmers from opium sales grew three-fold from 2021 to 2022. 
 
“The international community must work to address the acute needs of the Afghan people, and to step up responses to stop the criminal groups trafficking heroin and harming people in countries around the world,” the UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly had said when the findings were published, in November.&nbsp; 
 
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The Cranfield University in the United Kingdom said on Monday that their researchers are helping the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) powered programme that would monitor the crops used for illicit opium production in Afghanistan.

The Cranfield University in the United Kingdom said on Monday that their researchers are helping the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) powered programme that would monitor the crops used for illicit opium production in Afghanistan. According to the university, the AI programme would interpret data from satellites to track where the poppy cultivation, used for drug production, takes place. The university shared the news months after the UN agency conducted a survey which showed that opium cultivation in Afghanistan was up by 32 per cent, it was also the first report since the Taliban had banned the cultivation of opium poppy and all narcotics in April 2022, after they took over the year before. At least 80 per cent of all illicit opium is produced in Kabul, the UNODC said and this increase in cultivation made last year's crop the third largest area under cultivation since monitoring began. ALSO READ | Taliban running campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan “This is a hugely significant project to be involved with. In terms of Afghanistan, we’re talking about opium production on a grand scale – something like the combined size of 500,000 rugby pitches – so a huge amount of cultivation,” said Dr Daniel Simms, a professor in Remote Sensing at Cranfield University. He also noted how automating the monitoring process would save many hours. The partnership between the UN and the university will last until July 2023. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Taliban chops off the hands of four men, flogs couple for pre-marital sex According to the UNODC findings, since the Taliban imposed the ban, opium prices have soared while the income of farmers from opium sales grew three-fold from 2021 to 2022. “The international community must work to address the acute needs of the Afghan people, and to step up responses to stop the criminal groups trafficking heroin and harming people in countries around the world,” the UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly had said when the findings were published, in November. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK university helps UN develop AI programme to monitor Afghanistan’s opium cultivation

Aiming to wipe out the country's massive production of opium and heroin, the Taliban is running a campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.

"We are committed to bringing poppy cultivation to zero," said Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor.

It comes after the Taliban issued an edict in early April banning poppy cultivation throughout the country.

Mullah Abdul Haq Akhund, the Taliban deputy interior minister for counternarcotics told The Associated Press in Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah that those violating the ban "will be arrested and tried according to Sharia laws in relevant courts."

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He said the Taliban were in touch with other governments and non-governmental organizations to work out alternative crops for farmers.

Despite billions of dollars spent by the US trying to stop poppy cultivation, production spiraled over the past 20 years.

Other than being the world's biggest opium producer, Afghanistan is also a major source of heroin in Europe and Asia.

Cut off from international funding in the wake of the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan's economy has collapsed and the ban will likely strike a heavy blow to millions of impoverished farmers and day laborers who rely on proceeds from the crop to survive.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/from-narco-terrorism-to-informal-economy-the-state-crime-nexus-of-afghanistans-opium-dilemma-407432">Also read |&nbsp;From narco-terrorism to informal economy: The state-crime nexus of Afghanistan’s opium dilemma</a>

Afghanistan, which has been suffering under its worst drought in years, is facing a humanitarian crisis with most of its population struggling to afford food.

Harvesting opium from the poppies can fetch $300 a month and villagers rely on it to borrow money for staples such as flour, sugar, cooking oil, and heating oil.

According to estimates by the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, 177,000 hectares (438,000 acres) were planted with poppies in 2021, yielding enough opium to produce up to 650 tons of heroin.

The total value of Afghanistan's opiates production in 2021 was $1.8-$2.7 billion, up to 14 per cent of the country's GDP, exceeding the value of its legal exports, the UNODC said in its most recent report.

&nbsp; 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Aiming to wipe out the country's massive production of opium and heroin, the Taliban is running a campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. "We are committed to bringing poppy cultivation to zero," said Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor.

Aiming to wipe out the country's massive production of opium and heroin, the Taliban is running a campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. "We are committed to bringing poppy cultivation to zero," said Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor. It comes after the Taliban issued an edict in early April banning poppy cultivation throughout the country. Mullah Abdul Haq Akhund, the Taliban deputy interior minister for counternarcotics told The Associated Press in Helmand's provincial capital, Lashkar Gah that those violating the ban "will be arrested and tried according to Sharia laws in relevant courts." He said the Taliban were in touch with other governments and non-governmental organizations to work out alternative crops for farmers. Despite billions of dollars spent by the US trying to stop poppy cultivation, production spiraled over the past 20 years. Other than being the world's biggest opium producer, Afghanistan is also a major source of heroin in Europe and Asia. Cut off from international funding in the wake of the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan's economy has collapsed and the ban will likely strike a heavy blow to millions of impoverished farmers and day laborers who rely on proceeds from the crop to survive. Also read | From narco-terrorism to informal economy: The state-crime nexus of Afghanistan’s opium dilemma Afghanistan, which has been suffering under its worst drought in years, is facing a humanitarian crisis with most of its population struggling to afford food. Harvesting opium from the poppies can fetch $300 a month and villagers rely on it to borrow money for staples such as flour, sugar, cooking oil, and heating oil. According to estimates by the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, 177,000 hectares (438,000 acres) were planted with poppies in 2021, yielding enough opium to produce up to 650 tons of heroin. The total value of Afghanistan's opiates production in 2021 was $1.8-$2.7 billion, up to 14 per cent of the country's GDP, exceeding the value of its legal exports, the UNODC said in its most recent report. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Taliban running campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan

Opium poppy cultivation and harvesting have long been a part of Afghanistan's history.

By 2021, Afghanistan's harvest will account for more than 90% of worldwide illegal heroin production and more than 95% of European supply.

In Afghanistan, opium growing takes up more territory than coca cultivation in Latin America.

Since 2001, the country has been the world's biggest illicit drug producer.&nbsp;

The Taliban, who were born in Pakistan, control most of the world's opium-growing land, making them the world's most powerful narcotics cartel.

It regulates and taxes the production of opioids, monitors exports, and protects smuggling networks.

This is critical to their long-term survival.&nbsp;

Afghanistan is the world's top opium producer.

Afghanistan produced an estimated 6,800 tonnes of opium during the previous harvest season, which concluded in July.

According to a recent report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, this was an increase of 8% from 2020.

According to the research, <a href="https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Afghanistan/Afghanistan_brief_Nov_2021.pdf">Afghanistan produces 85 per cent of the world's opium</a>, and Afghan opiates are used by 80 per cent of the world's opium users.

According to the UNODC, the opium trade in Afghanistan will earn between $1.8 billion and $2.7 billion&nbsp;in 2021, accounting for around one-tenth of the country's economic output.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Opium poppy cultivation and harvesting have long been a part of Afghanistan's history. By 2021, Afghanistan's harvest will account for more than 90% of worldwide illegal heroin production and more than 95% of European supply.

Opium poppy cultivation and harvesting have long been a part of Afghanistan's history. By 2021, Afghanistan's harvest will account for more than 90% of worldwide illegal heroin production and more than 95% of European supply. In Afghanistan, opium growing takes up more territory than coca cultivation in Latin America. Since 2001, the country has been the world's biggest illicit drug producer. The Taliban, who were born in Pakistan, control most of the world's opium-growing land, making them the world's most powerful narcotics cartel. It regulates and taxes the production of opioids, monitors exports, and protects smuggling networks. This is critical to their long-term survival. Afghanistan is the world's top opium producer. Afghanistan produced an estimated 6,800 tonnes of opium during the previous harvest season, which concluded in July. According to a recent report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, this was an increase of 8% from 2020. According to the research, Afghanistan produces 85 per cent of the world's opium, and Afghan opiates are used by 80 per cent of the world's opium users. According to the UNODC, the opium trade in Afghanistan will earn between $1.8 billion and $2.7 billion in 2021, accounting for around one-tenth of the country's economic output. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan produces 85% of the world's opium: UN report

Two persons were arrested&nbsp;while further search&nbsp;is taking place across India, in connection with the seizure of around 3,000 kgs of heroin, originating from Afghanistan, from a port in India's Gujarat state.

The authorities also suspect the involvement of an Afghan national, whose whereabouts are currently being traced.

According to India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the 3,000 kgs&nbsp;drug—valued at $2.7 billion in the international market—was seized from Mundra port. The contraband was mixed with talc stone powder.

The officials acted after receiving “specific intelligence” that the drugs were being shipped from Bandar Abbas Port in Iran via two containers, weighing 40 tonnes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heroin-from-afghanistan-worth-usd-27-billion-seized-in-india-414584">Heroin from Afghanistan worth USD 2.7 billion seized in India</a>

“Specific intelligence was developed that a consignment imported by M/s Aashi Trading Company, Vijaywada, declared as semi-processed Talc stones originating shipped from Bandar Abbas Port to Mundra Port is suspected to contain narcotics drugs. Intelligence indicated that these drugs have originated from Afghanistan,” the officers said in a statement.

The DRI official informed&nbsp;that 1999.579 kgs were recovered from the first container and 988.64 kgs&nbsp;from the second container, totalling to 2988.219 kgs of heroin.

The officers found that the drug was heroin after conducting a laboratory test.

“The examination was conducted in presence of experts from Forensics Science Lab (FSL), Gandhinagar. During the examination, suspected narcotics drugs were recovered from both the containers. The FSL conducted tests and confirmed the presence of heroin,” it added.

The officers are conducting searches in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham and Mandvi in Gujarat.

<h2>Afghanistan—World’s narco-state</h2>

The latest haul by the Indian authorities brings back the focus on Afghanistan, from where the seized heroin originated.

Afghanistan is the world’s biggest illicit opiate supplier. The poppy crops—the raw ingredient of opium and its derivative heroin— had played a key role in helping the Taliban fund its insurgency against the Western forces, cementing the country’s longtime position as the world’s leading producer of opium.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lack-of-money-may-push-afghan-authorities-to-turn-to-drug-trafficking-putin-413767">Lack of money may push Afghan authorities to turn to drug trafficking: Putin</a>

According to the data shared by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the area covered under poppy cultivation expanded from 8,000 hectares in 2001 to 224,000 hectares in 2020.

The gum harvested from poppies is turned into heroin and then shipped to Central Asia, Europe and the United States— where the demand remains in high.

According to the UNODC, the opium economy in Afghanistan is estimated at $1.2 billion to $2.1 billion annually, accounting for 6 to 11 per cent of the Afghan Gross Domestic Production (GDP).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-women-judges-fear-reprisal-stay-in-hiding-414427">Afghanistan's women judges fear reprisal, stay in hiding &nbsp;</a>&nbsp;

The UN agency estimates Afghanistan's drug kingpins to account for 80 per cent of global opium and heroin supplies.

<h2>Taliban's tryst with opium</h2>

Intoxicants including narcotic drugs are, notably, ‘haraam’ in Islam. Yet, the Taliban which claim to fight in the name of religion has refrained from banning opium.

According to an American official quoted in the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR) report released in May 2021, the militia group derives up to 60 per cent of its annual revenue from the illegal narcotics trade,

An investigation by the BBC found that the Taliban's annual income surged to $400 million from 2011 onwards and is estimated to have peaked at $1.5 billion by 2018-end.

As per UN officials, the Taliban are expected to have earned more than $400 million between 2018 and 2019 from the drug trade, Reuters reported.

However, ever since it took over Afghanistan, the Taliban had been repeatedly stressing that their new government won’t allow the production of narcotics drug.

Speaking at a first press conference on September 12, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state.

“We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community, we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.

“From now on, nobody’s going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Two persons were arrested while further search is taking place across India, in connection with the seizure of around 3,000 kgs of heroin, originating from Afghanistan, from a port in India's Gujarat state.

Two persons were arrested while further search is taking place across India, in connection with the seizure of around 3,000 kgs of heroin, originating from Afghanistan, from a port in India's Gujarat state. The authorities also suspect the involvement of an Afghan national, whose whereabouts are currently being traced. According to India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the 3,000 kgs drug—valued at $2.7 billion in the international market—was seized from Mundra port. The contraband was mixed with talc stone powder. The officials acted after receiving “specific intelligence” that the drugs were being shipped from Bandar Abbas Port in Iran via two containers, weighing 40 tonnes. Also read | Heroin from Afghanistan worth USD 2.7 billion seized in India “Specific intelligence was developed that a consignment imported by M/s Aashi Trading Company, Vijaywada, declared as semi-processed Talc stones originating shipped from Bandar Abbas Port to Mundra Port is suspected to contain narcotics drugs. Intelligence indicated that these drugs have originated from Afghanistan,” the officers said in a statement. The DRI official informed that 1999.579 kgs were recovered from the first container and 988.64 kgs from the second container, totalling to 2988.219 kgs of heroin. The officers found that the drug was heroin after conducting a laboratory test. “The examination was conducted in presence of experts from Forensics Science Lab (FSL), Gandhinagar. During the examination, suspected narcotics drugs were recovered from both the containers. The FSL conducted tests and confirmed the presence of heroin,” it added. The officers are conducting searches in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Gandhidham and Mandvi in Gujarat. Afghanistan—World’s narco-state The latest haul by the Indian authorities brings back the focus on Afghanistan, from where the seized heroin originated. Afghanistan is the world’s biggest illicit opiate supplier. The poppy crops—the raw ingredient of opium and its derivative heroin— had played a key role in helping the Taliban fund its insurgency against the Western forces, cementing the country’s longtime position as the world’s leading producer of opium. Also read | Lack of money may push Afghan authorities to turn to drug trafficking: Putin According to the data shared by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the area covered under poppy cultivation expanded from 8,000 hectares in 2001 to 224,000 hectares in 2020. The gum harvested from poppies is turned into heroin and then shipped to Central Asia, Europe and the United States— where the demand remains in high. According to the UNODC, the opium economy in Afghanistan is estimated at $1.2 billion to $2.1 billion annually, accounting for 6 to 11 per cent of the Afghan Gross Domestic Production (GDP). Also read | Afghanistan's women judges fear reprisal, stay in hiding The UN agency estimates Afghanistan's drug kingpins to account for 80 per cent of global opium and heroin supplies. Taliban's tryst with opium Intoxicants including narcotic drugs are, notably, ‘haraam’ in Islam. Yet, the Taliban which claim to fight in the name of religion has refrained from banning opium. According to an American official quoted in the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR) report released in May 2021, the militia group derives up to 60 per cent of its annual revenue from the illegal narcotics trade, An investigation by the BBC found that the Taliban's annual income surged to $400 million from 2011 onwards and is estimated to have peaked at $1.5 billion by 2018-end. As per UN officials, the Taliban are expected to have earned more than $400 million between 2018 and 2019 from the drug trade, Reuters reported. However, ever since it took over Afghanistan, the Taliban had been repeatedly stressing that their new government won’t allow the production of narcotics drug. Speaking at a first press conference on September 12, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state. “We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community, we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul. “From now on, nobody’s going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling.” (With inputs from agencies)

Massive drug haul: Indian authorities reveal how heroin worth $2.7 bn was busted on way from Afghanistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Afghanistan requires humanitarian assistance, adding that a shortage of funds may force the current government in Kabul to turn to drug trafficking.&nbsp;

"According to the UN, today half of Afghans need humanitarian assistance to simply survive. Every third person is deprived of access to food. There is a danger that the lack of funds in the treasury of Afghanistan may push those who control the country today to make money on the sale of drugs and weapons, as it has been happening recently, by the way," Putin told a joint Shanghai Cooperation Organization-Collective Security Treaty Organization summit.

According to a report by Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik International, Vladimir Putin said that "Taliban consider it important to restore infrastructure but it is difficult for them to do it on their own. Moscow supports the convening of an Afghanistan donor conference within the United Nations."

"The Taliban movement, having become practically the sovereign master of the country, has formed its own government, which has assumed responsibility for the future of Afghanistan. This is an interim government, as the Taliban themselves say, and cannot be called truly representative or inclusive. We do not see representatives of other ethnic groups here. But it seems that, of course, it is also necessary to work with him. And as for the recognition [of current Afghan authorities], I think I agree with those who have spoken on this score. We need to agree on our position on this issue, " Putin said.

(With inputs from Sputnik News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Afghanistan requires humanitarian assistance, adding that a shortage of funds may force the current government in Kabul to turn to drug trafficking.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Afghanistan requires humanitarian assistance, adding that a shortage of funds may force the current government in Kabul to turn to drug trafficking. "According to the UN, today half of Afghans need humanitarian assistance to simply survive. Every third person is deprived of access to food. There is a danger that the lack of funds in the treasury of Afghanistan may push those who control the country today to make money on the sale of drugs and weapons, as it has been happening recently, by the way," Putin told a joint Shanghai Cooperation Organization-Collective Security Treaty Organization summit. According to a report by Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik International, Vladimir Putin said that "Taliban consider it important to restore infrastructure but it is difficult for them to do it on their own. Moscow supports the convening of an Afghanistan donor conference within the United Nations." "The Taliban movement, having become practically the sovereign master of the country, has formed its own government, which has assumed responsibility for the future of Afghanistan. This is an interim government, as the Taliban themselves say, and cannot be called truly representative or inclusive. We do not see representatives of other ethnic groups here. But it seems that, of course, it is also necessary to work with him. And as for the recognition [of current Afghan authorities], I think I agree with those who have spoken on this score. We need to agree on our position on this issue, " Putin said. (With inputs from Sputnik News)

Lack of money may push Afghan authorities to turn to drug trafficking: Putin

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so.

Speaking Tuesday at a first press conference since taking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state.

"We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community that we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.

"From now on, nobody's going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling."

But the anti-heroin rhetoric -- like similar pledges to respect human rights and media freedom — is seen by analysts as part of efforts by the new Taliban leaders to show a more moderate face in order to secure international backing.

The vast majority of the world's opium and heroin comes from Afghanistan, with production and exports centred in areas controlled by the Taliban, who have taxed the drugs heavily during their 20-year insurgency.

It has become a key resource for the group and they could struggle to ban it, said Jonathan Goodhand, an expert in the international drug trade at SOAS University of London.

"Drugs will bring out a set of tensions in the movement," he predicted.

On one hand, "they want to create this image of themselves as more moderate and more open to engagement with the West and they realise drugs is one of way of doing this," he said.

But on the other, any repression would hit farmers in the Taliban political heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in particular.

"It's going to struggle to take a very aggressive approach to drugs," he added.

Near-monopoly

In his premier press conference, Mujahid pleaded for "international assistance" to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppies, the source of sap that is refined into morphine and heroin.

The appeal for international aid might prompt hollow laughs from people who worked in the coalition of NATO forces, NGOs and UN workers over the last 10 years that tried in vain to break Afghanistan's reliance on poppy farming.

The United States spent around $8.6 billion (7.4 billion euros) from 2002 to 2017 in its doomed effort to combat the drugs trade, according to a 2018 report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR).

Those efforts included paying farmers to grow wheat or saffron, investing in transport links, as well as spraying defoliants on crops and bombing refining facilities.

At each step, they found themselves thwarted by Taliban fighters who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the industry, according to US and Afghan government estimates.

Farmers in Taliban-controlled areas would often come under pressure to plant poppies from local warlords and fighters, investigations have found.

As a result, the country has a near-monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global output, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The amount of land planted with poppies hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged around 250,000 hectares in the last four years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures show.

'Too tied up'

The narcotics policy of the new government will affect global heroin prices, with repercussions for Western countries and their addicts, as well as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China -- all major smuggling routes but also huge markets for Afghan drugs.

In recent years, traffickers have also discovered that a plant commonly found in Afghanistan called ephedra can be used to create a key component of methamphetamine, better known as "crystal meth".

Still, spokesman Mujahid vowed Afghanistan would be a "narcotics-free country" moving forward.

It's not the first time the fundamentalist group has vowed to outlaw the trade. Production was banned in 2000, just before the group was overthrown by US-led forces.

Gretchen Peters, the American author of the book "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda", said the Taliban's previous ban on poppy cultivation was tactical.

"They were under immense international pressure," she said. "It was a ploy because they had so much stored up. They made a huge amount of money once the price shot up by 10 times."

"They are not going to get rid of the drug trade because they are too tied up with it."

"Afghanistan cannot survive without opium. It is simultaneously killing Afghanistan while also keeping a huge number of people alive," she said, referring to the income the industry provides to poor farmers.

Being in control of the country will offer the Taliban access to airlines, the state bureaucracy and banks which could be used to facilitate drug smuggling and money laundering, she explained.

"I have no doubt they will exploit it."

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so.

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so. Speaking Tuesday at a first press conference since taking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state. "We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community that we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul. "From now on, nobody's going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling." But the anti-heroin rhetoric -- like similar pledges to respect human rights and media freedom — is seen by analysts as part of efforts by the new Taliban leaders to show a more moderate face in order to secure international backing. The vast majority of the world's opium and heroin comes from Afghanistan, with production and exports centred in areas controlled by the Taliban, who have taxed the drugs heavily during their 20-year insurgency. It has become a key resource for the group and they could struggle to ban it, said Jonathan Goodhand, an expert in the international drug trade at SOAS University of London. "Drugs will bring out a set of tensions in the movement," he predicted. On one hand, "they want to create this image of themselves as more moderate and more open to engagement with the West and they realise drugs is one of way of doing this," he said. But on the other, any repression would hit farmers in the Taliban political heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in particular. "It's going to struggle to take a very aggressive approach to drugs," he added. Near-monopoly In his premier press conference, Mujahid pleaded for "international assistance" to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppies, the source of sap that is refined into morphine and heroin. The appeal for international aid might prompt hollow laughs from people who worked in the coalition of NATO forces, NGOs and UN workers over the last 10 years that tried in vain to break Afghanistan's reliance on poppy farming. The United States spent around $8.6 billion (7.4 billion euros) from 2002 to 2017 in its doomed effort to combat the drugs trade, according to a 2018 report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR). Those efforts included paying farmers to grow wheat or saffron, investing in transport links, as well as spraying defoliants on crops and bombing refining facilities. At each step, they found themselves thwarted by Taliban fighters who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the industry, according to US and Afghan government estimates. Farmers in Taliban-controlled areas would often come under pressure to plant poppies from local warlords and fighters, investigations have found. As a result, the country has a near-monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global output, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The amount of land planted with poppies hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged around 250,000 hectares in the last four years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures show. 'Too tied up' The narcotics policy of the new government will affect global heroin prices, with repercussions for Western countries and their addicts, as well as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China -- all major smuggling routes but also huge markets for Afghan drugs. In recent years, traffickers have also discovered that a plant commonly found in Afghanistan called ephedra can be used to create a key component of methamphetamine, better known as "crystal meth". Still, spokesman Mujahid vowed Afghanistan would be a "narcotics-free country" moving forward. It's not the first time the fundamentalist group has vowed to outlaw the trade. Production was banned in 2000, just before the group was overthrown by US-led forces. Gretchen Peters, the American author of the book "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda", said the Taliban's previous ban on poppy cultivation was tactical. "They were under immense international pressure," she said. "It was a ploy because they had so much stored up. They made a huge amount of money once the price shot up by 10 times." "They are not going to get rid of the drug trade because they are too tied up with it." "Afghanistan cannot survive without opium. It is simultaneously killing Afghanistan while also keeping a huge number of people alive," she said, referring to the income the industry provides to poor farmers. Being in control of the country will offer the Taliban access to airlines, the state bureaucracy and banks which could be used to facilitate drug smuggling and money laundering, she explained. "I have no doubt they will exploit it."

Taliban vow to ban heroin, but can they survive without it?

Taliban, coronavirus, crippling economy, floods, rising unemplyment and limited resources: Afghanistan has been one of the worst-hit countries this year.

As the pandemic and the floods hit the country, locals lost their paid and season jobs, and had to turn to the next best solution. Sadly, the next best solution for majority locals was heading towards the poppy fields.

Afghanistan is one of the highest producer of opium as it produces nearly 80 per cent of the global supply and also provides thousands of jobs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-kill-four-survivors-of-afghanistan-flash-floods-323487">Also read:&nbsp;Taliban kill four survivors of Afghanistan flash floods</a>

When coronavirus hit the country, lots of locals lost their jobs to the pandemic. So, majority of them turned towards the poppy fields to provide for their families.

"Because of the coronavirus I lost my job. I have a family of 12 members, I am the breadwinner," said Fazily, 42, a mechanic in the central province of Uruzgan who, like many Afghans, goes by one name.

"I have no other way but to work in poppy fields to make some money."

The poppy fields are usually taken care of by seasonal labourers in spring and summer. However, the pandemic scared a lot of them and the labourers were hesitant to participate this season. This caused a shortage of workers too, especially as the borders with Pakistan, too, are now closed.

The lack of seasonal labourers and lack of jobs helped the farmers and the unemployed meet each other halfway.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/landmine-blast-kills-13-in-southern-afghanistan-323677">Also read: Landmine blast kills 13 in southern Afghanistan</a>

Sadly, it is not just the unemployed labourers laid off from work who are attending to the crops. Students, too, have started working at the field to earn some quick cash in their unexpected free time.

Since the pandemic began, schools in Afghanistan have been closed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. This has led to children going out with their parents to earn extra money, instead of opting for home-schooling — which is a vague concept in the country.

"Our school is closed and I have enough time to go work in a poppy field and make some money," said Nazir Ahmad, an 18-year-old student in Kandahar.

"About 20 of my classmates are also working here."

While it has been portrayed that poppy cultivation is not encouraged and is, in some ways, illegal — especially when children are involved — the poppy cultivation has increased this year due to the lockdown. The reality underneath is that Taliban, and to some extent the local government, do encourage poppy cultivation as the Taliban profits from&nbsp;taxing farmers and traffickers, and running its own drug-making factories that turn raw opium into morphine or heroin for export, with drugs then trafficked through neighbouring Pakistan and Iran.

With the economy slowly reopening, there is still some hope for children to head back to schools. However,&nbsp;till now more than 38,000 cases of coronavirus have been declared in Afghanistan and more than 1,400 deaths, and the government believes that a third of the population has likely contracted the disease.

Taliban, coronavirus, crippling economy, floods, rising unemplyment and limited resources: Afghanistan has been one of the worst-hit countries this year. As the pandemic and the floods hit the country, locals lost their paid and season jobs, and had to turn to the next best solution.

Taliban, coronavirus, crippling economy, floods, rising unemplyment and limited resources: Afghanistan has been one of the worst-hit countries this year. As the pandemic and the floods hit the country, locals lost their paid and season jobs, and had to turn to the next best solution. Sadly, the next best solution for majority locals was heading towards the poppy fields. Afghanistan is one of the highest producer of opium as it produces nearly 80 per cent of the global supply and also provides thousands of jobs. Also read: Taliban kill four survivors of Afghanistan flash floods When coronavirus hit the country, lots of locals lost their jobs to the pandemic. So, majority of them turned towards the poppy fields to provide for their families. "Because of the coronavirus I lost my job. I have a family of 12 members, I am the breadwinner," said Fazily, 42, a mechanic in the central province of Uruzgan who, like many Afghans, goes by one name. "I have no other way but to work in poppy fields to make some money." The poppy fields are usually taken care of by seasonal labourers in spring and summer. However, the pandemic scared a lot of them and the labourers were hesitant to participate this season. This caused a shortage of workers too, especially as the borders with Pakistan, too, are now closed. The lack of seasonal labourers and lack of jobs helped the farmers and the unemployed meet each other halfway. Also read: Landmine blast kills 13 in southern Afghanistan Sadly, it is not just the unemployed labourers laid off from work who are attending to the crops. Students, too, have started working at the field to earn some quick cash in their unexpected free time. Since the pandemic began, schools in Afghanistan have been closed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. This has led to children going out with their parents to earn extra money, instead of opting for home-schooling — which is a vague concept in the country. "Our school is closed and I have enough time to go work in a poppy field and make some money," said Nazir Ahmad, an 18-year-old student in Kandahar. "About 20 of my classmates are also working here." While it has been portrayed that poppy cultivation is not encouraged and is, in some ways, illegal — especially when children are involved — the poppy cultivation has increased this year due to the lockdown. The reality underneath is that Taliban, and to some extent the local government, do encourage poppy cultivation as the Taliban profits from taxing farmers and traffickers, and running its own drug-making factories that turn raw opium into morphine or heroin for export, with drugs then trafficked through neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. With the economy slowly reopening, there is still some hope for children to head back to schools. However, till now more than 38,000 cases of coronavirus have been declared in Afghanistan and more than 1,400 deaths, and the government believes that a third of the population has likely contracted the disease.

Afghan children and unemployed turn to opium for quick cash

Wheat and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-opium-producers-hit-hard-by-drought-in-2018-178299"> opium farmer</a> Murad Khan Ishaqzai, 80, has never seen a drought as bad as the one ravaging western Afghanistan where more than 250,000 people have been<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-farmers-fleeing-drought-face-more-hardship-in-camps-170839"> forced to abandon</a> their homes.

After his crops dried up in Gormach district of Badghis province earlier this year, Ishaqzai rented a truck and drove his family hundreds of kilometres through Taliban-infested areas to the neighbouring province of Herat. &nbsp; &nbsp;

There, he and his family of seven took refuge in a squalid camp on the rocky outskirts of the provincial capital where aid agencies are struggling to meet growing demand for food, shelter and sanitation.

"The farms were destroyed, our livestock perished, and we left our donkeys in the desert because we couldn't feed them any more," said Ishaqzai, his face weather-beaten by a lifetime of working in his field.

It was only the second time in his life that drought had forced him to leave his land.&nbsp;

But with Afghanistan ranked as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, it may not be the last.&nbsp;

"It's the worst drought I have seen," Ishaqzai told AFP in August. &nbsp;

"We had a lot of opium and wheat -- we lost them.&nbsp;

"The land dried up and we didn't have enough to eat."

The United Nations warned in October that at least <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/three-million-afghans-in-urgent-need-of-food-united-nations-171620">three million people were in "urgent" need of food </a>due to the dry spell mainly across northern and western Afghanistan, and could face famine if they do not get help.&nbsp;

The UN is spearheading international efforts to reach 2.5 million of the three million most in need of food by mid-December, UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Toby Lanzer told AFP previously.

Conditions are miserable in the camps where families displaced by the drought have settled as temperatures drop across the country.&nbsp;

Ishaqzai is relatively lucky. He and his family have a canvas tent provided by an international humanitarian group. Others are living in pitiful, makeshift tents that offer little or no protection against the cold and rain.&nbsp;

Ishaqzai, whose health is failing, wants to go home.

"You can see that my life is almost over in this world," he said.

"If I could have stayed there (in Badghis) I wouldn't have come here, even if you gave me all of Herat city."

Wheat and opium farmer Murad Khan Ishaqzai, 80, has never seen a drought as bad as the one ravaging western Afghanistan where more than 250,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.

Wheat and opium farmer Murad Khan Ishaqzai, 80, has never seen a drought as bad as the one ravaging western Afghanistan where more than 250,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes. After his crops dried up in Gormach district of Badghis province earlier this year, Ishaqzai rented a truck and drove his family hundreds of kilometres through Taliban-infested areas to the neighbouring province of Herat. There, he and his family of seven took refuge in a squalid camp on the rocky outskirts of the provincial capital where aid agencies are struggling to meet growing demand for food, shelter and sanitation. "The farms were destroyed, our livestock perished, and we left our donkeys in the desert because we couldn't feed them any more," said Ishaqzai, his face weather-beaten by a lifetime of working in his field. It was only the second time in his life that drought had forced him to leave his land. But with Afghanistan ranked as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, it may not be the last. "It's the worst drought I have seen," Ishaqzai told AFP in August. "We had a lot of opium and wheat -- we lost them. "The land dried up and we didn't have enough to eat." The United Nations warned in October that at least three million people were in "urgent" need of food due to the dry spell mainly across northern and western Afghanistan, and could face famine if they do not get help. The UN is spearheading international efforts to reach 2.5 million of the three million most in need of food by mid-December, UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Toby Lanzer told AFP previously. Conditions are miserable in the camps where families displaced by the drought have settled as temperatures drop across the country. Ishaqzai is relatively lucky. He and his family have a canvas tent provided by an international humanitarian group. Others are living in pitiful, makeshift tents that offer little or no protection against the cold and rain. Ishaqzai, whose health is failing, wants to go home. "You can see that my life is almost over in this world," he said. "If I could have stayed there (in Badghis) I wouldn't have come here, even if you gave me all of Herat city."

'Worst drought I have seen': Afghan farmers forced to flee

Afghanistan saw a 10 per cent jump in opium cultivation this year, highlighting bumper harvests owing to collapsing eradication efforts amid growing insecurity and declining international counter-narcotics assistance, the UN said on Sunday.

Cultivation dropped last year due to drought conditions but it has been on the rise in the past decade, fuelling the Taliban insurgency and spurring a growing crisis of drug addiction despite costly US-led counter-narcotics programs.

High levels of cultivation this year meant the estimated opium production soared 43 per cent to 4,800 tons, a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report said, highlighting a &quot;worrying reversal&quot; in efforts to combat the scourge of drugs.

&quot;The cultivation has increased by 10 per cent this year compared to the same time in 2015, from 183,000 hectares to 201,000 hectares,&quot; counter-narcotics minister Salamat Azimi told reporters while releasing the UN report.

&quot;Ninety-three percent of the cultivation has taken place in the southern, eastern and western parts of the country.&quot;

Officials cited favourable weather conditions, rising insecurity and falling international donor support as the main reasons for the increase in cultivation in Afghanistan, the world&#39;s leading producer of opium.

The southern restive province of Helmand remained the country&#39;s top poppy cultivating province, followed by Badghis, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Nangarhar and Farah, all hotbeds of insurgent activity.

&quot;I believe with the existing equipment, facilities and civilian task force, we cannot fight the cultivation of poppy in insecure areas,&quot; said Baz Mohammad Ahmadi, deputy minister of interior for counter-narcotics.

&quot;The challenges of deteriorating security in different parts of the country took away the opportunities to destroy poppy farms.&quot;&nbsp;

Seeds of war&nbsp;

Eradication efforts appeared to have collapsed. A total of 355 hectares of poppy eradication was carried out this year, a 91 per cent plunge from 2015.

&quot;In 2016, farmers&#39; resistance against poppy eradication operations was occasionally expressed through direct attacks on eradication teams,&quot; the UN report said.&nbsp;

&quot;No eradication took place in the provinces with high levels of opium poppy cultivation due to the extremely poor security situation in those areas and logistical/financial challenges to organise the eradication teams on time.&quot;

Afghanistan saw a drop in opium cultivation last year for the first time since 2009, a UN report said, citing drought conditions as a key reason for the decline. But that was seen as a temporary blip.

Poppy farmers in Afghanistan are often taxed by the Taliban, who use the cash to help fund their insurgency against government and NATO forces.

&quot;Most of the conflicts in Afghanistan are financed by income from poppy. Anywhere you see poppy in Afghanistan you see fighting there,&quot; said Ahmadi.

International donors have splurged billions of dollars on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan over the past decade, including efforts encouraging farmers to switch to other cash crops such as saffron. But those efforts have shown little results.

Addiction levels have also risen sharply, from almost nothing under the 1996-2001 Taliban regime, giving rise to a new generation of addicts since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

&quot;We explain to the international community that now is the time to increase support for counter-narcotics in Afghanistan,&quot; said UNODC chief Andrey Avetisyan.

(AFP)

There has been a 10% jump in cultivation, leading to the massive increase in estimated production

Afghanistan saw a 10 per cent jump in opium cultivation this year, highlighting bumper harvests owing to collapsing eradication efforts amid growing insecurity and declining international counter-narcotics assistance, the UN said on Sunday. Cultivation dropped last year due to drought conditions but it has been on the rise in the past decade, fuelling the Taliban insurgency and spurring a growing crisis of drug addiction despite costly US-led counter-narcotics programs. High levels of cultivation this year meant the estimated opium production soared 43 per cent to 4,800 tons, a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report said, highlighting a "worrying reversal" in efforts to combat the scourge of drugs. "The cultivation has increased by 10 per cent this year compared to the same time in 2015, from 183,000 hectares to 201,000 hectares," counter-narcotics minister Salamat Azimi told reporters while releasing the UN report. "Ninety-three percent of the cultivation has taken place in the southern, eastern and western parts of the country." Officials cited favourable weather conditions, rising insecurity and falling international donor support as the main reasons for the increase in cultivation in Afghanistan, the world's leading producer of opium. The southern restive province of Helmand remained the country's top poppy cultivating province, followed by Badghis, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Nangarhar and Farah, all hotbeds of insurgent activity. "I believe with the existing equipment, facilities and civilian task force, we cannot fight the cultivation of poppy in insecure areas," said Baz Mohammad Ahmadi, deputy minister of interior for counter-narcotics. "The challenges of deteriorating security in different parts of the country took away the opportunities to destroy poppy farms." Seeds of war Eradication efforts appeared to have collapsed. A total of 355 hectares of poppy eradication was carried out this year, a 91 per cent plunge from 2015. "In 2016, farmers' resistance against poppy eradication operations was occasionally expressed through direct attacks on eradication teams," the UN report said. "No eradication took place in the provinces with high levels of opium poppy cultivation due to the extremely poor security situation in those areas and logistical/financial challenges to organise the eradication teams on time." Afghanistan saw a drop in opium cultivation last year for the first time since 2009, a UN report said, citing drought conditions as a key reason for the decline. But that was seen as a temporary blip. Poppy farmers in Afghanistan are often taxed by the Taliban, who use the cash to help fund their insurgency against government and NATO forces. "Most of the conflicts in Afghanistan are financed by income from poppy. Anywhere you see poppy in Afghanistan you see fighting there," said Ahmadi. International donors have splurged billions of dollars on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan over the past decade, including efforts encouraging farmers to switch to other cash crops such as saffron. But those efforts have shown little results. Addiction levels have also risen sharply, from almost nothing under the 1996-2001 Taliban regime, giving rise to a new generation of addicts since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan. "We explain to the international community that now is the time to increase support for counter-narcotics in Afghanistan," said UNODC chief Andrey Avetisyan. (AFP)

Afghanistan: Estimated opium production up 43%