Poppy Production in Afghanistan

Poppies in Afghanistan

Afghanistan had its largest opium harvest in history this past year. This has prompted American officials to persuade members of the Afghan government to begin spraying herbicide on poppies. They have found some supporters in Hamid Karzi’s administration, but not President Karzi himself. The tide may be turning, but proof that the herbicide to be used, glyphosate, is safe must first be confirmed.

Afghanistan produces 93 percent of the world’s opium. In the past year alone 34 percent more opium was produced and they are now producing more heroin than in the past. The shift has allowed drug revenues grow exponentially in the past six years, much of which is going to the Taliban. The problem is worst in the South where 4,400 metric tons of opium was produced this year. This is almost half of the country’s total Opium production.

The problem seems to keep growing. The Afghan government has tried to eradicate the fields, but they are fighting a losing battle. Forty-seven thousand acres were eliminated this year, up 24 percent from last year, but it still only accounts for nine percent of the total poppy crop. The fields that were eradicated had to be negotiated plot by plot; therefore, large, powerful, and politically connected farmers could protect their fields from eradication.

Aerial spraying of an herbicide like glyphosate may have a greater affect on the percentage of poppy field eradication. This is why American officials have been pushing for the use of glyphosate for the past two years. Last year they thought they may have finally convinced the Afghan’s, but an American-educated Afghan deputy minister of public health raised concerns about the safety of the herbicide. The statement changed President Karzi’s mind about the spraying of herbicides, and he still says he opposes any spraying of herbicides. Though President Karzi has not changed his mind, some of his officials have. Their only concern is that the spray may kill some of the other crops that farmers plant next to their poppy crop. American officials have said that damage to the food crop can be avoided, though.

The Bush administration has said they will support any decision Afghanistan makes, behind the scenes they are pushing for at least a trial run with glyphosate. They say the spray would only be a small part of a new strategy against narcotics, but the way the eradication is going now they need to find something that works better. Glyphosate may be part of the solution. Now American officials need to convince President Karzi and his administration that it is too.

Grade Received 10/10