Announcement

Opium Cultivation Falls by 19%

USAID's Alternative Livelihood Programs see positive results.

Kabul, Afghanistan | Sunday, August 31, 2008

USAID efforts to improve the availability of alternative livelihoods for farmers are paying off in the war against poppy production. On August 26, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that the number of poppy-free provinces increased from 13 in 2007 to 18 provinces today and opium cultivation has fallen by 19% nationwide to its lowest level since 2006.

USAID alternative development programs supported a dramatic shift away from poppy production in the formerly poppy-rich northern and eastern provinces of Badakshan, Takhar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, and Nuristan. USAID provided access to short-term employment as well as development focused on the longer-term needs of these agriculturally-rich and strategic provinces. Efforts included repairing roads, irrigation, canals and distributing high-quality seed and fertilizer to promote licit activities.

USAID/Afghanistan Bi-Weekly Highlights: 08/15/08 - 08/31/08 8/31/2008

Learn more: Alternative Development

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