Tag "Afghanistan poppy"
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Afghan Think-Tank Study Predicts More Poppy Cultivation for the Year 2017
The results of a new study, conducted by the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) with financial support from the European Union, indicate more opium poppy cultivation in Helmand in 2017 than in the province’s past years, including the previous
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What opium poppy and tax reveal about the Afghan State
The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), in a European Union (EU)-funded study, has released a paper highlighting the challenges of assessing control and influence that both state and non-state actors have over the territory and population of Afghanistan. As
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Afghan women’s income improves with increase in saffron yield
Women in northern Jawzjan province have witnessed a considerable increase in their income with three-fold increase in saffron yield. According to Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN), saffron corms were distributed to 200 farmers, including 125 women, as a pilot project in
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Helmand farmers witness heavy basil production this year
Farmers in Helmand turned to cultivation of basil this year and have witnessed a heavy production of the crop. Once known as the hub for poppy cultivation, the southern Helmand province has seen a tremendous growth in legitimate crops in
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“Roses for Nangarhar” – an alternative to poppy cultivation
The “Roses for Nangarhar” development project was officially handed over to an Afghan company, Afghan Roses Ltd, on 16 June 2015. At today’s ceremony in the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation & Development (MRRD), a memorandum of understanding was signed
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Helmand farmers grow more wheat than poppy
Farmers have grown more wheat than last year in Helmand province, which is the hub for poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. According to Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN), wheat was grown on 98,000 hectares of land and was higher than last year’s
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Opium production soars in Afghanistan ahead of NATO withdrawal
According to a United Nations Report, opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has hit its record high, with areas under cultivation rising by 36% this year. Afghanistan has witnessed an almost 50% jump in opium production compared with last year. The
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Poppy cultivation decreased in Helmand
According to local officials, poppy cultivation has been curtailed in Helmand, Afghanistan’s leading producer of opium. The officials have credited the efforts by the security forces in destroying poppy fields and opium production facilities for the decline in poppy cultivation
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Afghan government enhances effort to curb poppy cultivation
In an attempt to curtail poppy cultivation in the country, Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MoCN) has planned to reward drug free provinces with development project. An agreement for that matter has been signed with several construction companies to execute
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Afghanistan’s economy becoming less reliant on narcotics
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghan economy’s reliance on opium production has declined in 2012. In 2011, narcotics formed 15% of Afghanistan’s production and exports. The figure dropped to 10% in 2012. The UNODC
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Pakita farmers receive 28 tractors
Twenty eight tractors, worth USD 840,000, were granted to farmers in Paktia with financial collaboration from Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) and the Ministry of Counternarcotic. According to the Pajhwok Afghan News, the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Group (DIAG)
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90% of Herat’s saffron exported to foreign countries
Herat has exported 90% of saffron to European countries like France, Italy and Spain and the United Arab Emirates during the outgoing year. Three tonnes of saffron were produced from 700 hectares of land in 2012, compared with two tonnes in 2011,
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Helmand’s pilot saffron projects show good results
According to the Pajhwok Afghan News, the agriculture ministry is distributing saffron seeds to growers in 11 of districts in Helmand. This comes after the successful conduct of pilot saffron projects that were undertaken in the province, where cultivation of
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Paktika farmers call on government for saffron cultivation training
Paktika farmers want to switch to growing saffron as the best alternative to the illicit crop, poppy. The farmers are seeking the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to provide saffron seeds and training programs for them. The province offers
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Government development packages dedicated to districts in Afghanistan
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Counter Narcotics and Minister of Rural Development are jointly releasing development packages to a number of districts in Afghanistan. District of Bahsood in Nangarhar, Kaama, Kashm, and a number of regions in Balkh and Parwan
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Saffron touted as the best alternative to poppy
Given the high sales price of the spice and its compatibility with the arid Afghan environment, saffron industry is supported by the Afghan government. Earlier this year, the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock distributed 65,000 kg of saffron
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Cotton the best alternative to opium- Helmand elders
A number of residents in southern Helmand province believe that with increasing cotton yields in the province, the issue of insecurity would be minimized. This subject has been discussed among elders of the districts of Nadali, Marjah, Garshak, Nawa, Garamser
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