💨 Abstract

In the second year since the Taliban banned opium poppy production in Afghanistan, the U.N. reported a 20% increase, with cultivation at 12,800 hectares. Despite the rise, it remains significantly lower than pre-ban levels. The center of production has shifted from the southwest to the northeast, particularly Badakhshan province. Dry opium prices are also high, encouraging farmers to potentially flout the ban.

Courtesy: theprint.in

Summarized by Einstein Beta 🤖