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The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that Afghanistan cultivated 154,000 hectares of opium in 2012 and insurgents bring in at least $100 million a year from the drug trade. Despite the far from positive results and the many challenges that still remain, it is worth stressing that Afghanistan still retains 17 provinces that are free of poppy cultivation. This includes most Northern Provinces. As a result, opium poppy cultivation is largely confined to the South and West of the country. Furthermore, while opium cultivation increased in most of the main poppy cultivating provinces, including Helmand, less poppy was cultivated within the confines of Helmand’s “Food Zone”, where agricultural support programs are implemented. Between 2011 and 2012, the per-hectare income from opium cultivation also decreased by 57 per cent.
Counter narcotic strategies are of critical importance for counterinsurgency, stabilization, economic, and rule of law efforts. How would you rate the progress made thus far and what would be some of the obstacles in implementing counter narcotic strategies post 2014?
Aria2013
DET-USCENTCOM
Counter narcotic strategies are of critical importance for counterinsurgency, stabilization, economic, and rule of law efforts. How would you rate the progress made thus far and what would be some of the obstacles in implementing counter narcotic strategies post 2014?
Aria2013
DET-USCENTCOM