Afghanistan: Afghan Farmers Revert to Growing Opium, Sending Yields Soaring

Dec 3, 2017 | Ruchi Kumar, The National
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While Afghanistan has been the world’s largest opium-producing nation for decades, the UN agency reported that a staggering 328,000 hectares of land was under opium production this year, 127,000 hectares more than last year. A total of 9,000 tonnes of opium was produced, an 87 per cent increase on 2016. The main reason for this unprecedented increase is economic. “If I were to grow wheat instead, one sear [seven kilograms] of wheat will only fetch me Afs150 [Dh8 or approximately US$2.50]. On the other hand, one kilogram of opium can sell for Afs15,000 to 16,000,” Mr Qul said.