Overview of opium in Afganistan

In the first decades of the 20th century Afghan opium production was measured in tens of tons. By 1999 it had reached 4,500 tons (raw material for 450 tons of heroin). In 2004 production had spread to all 34 provinces, and is often the major economic activity, accounting for between one third and two thirds of Afghanistan’s GDP, and at a conservative estimate some US$ 2.6 – 2.7 billion, equivalent of a seventh of national income. Some two million people and 350,000 farm households are involved in the drugs industry, which supports the country’s balance of payment with between US$ 500 – 1,000,000 million. The production of opium is integrated into the rural economy, with knock on effects on the distribution of land, the migration of seasonal labour, the allocation of family resources, access to credit and the flow of funds through the hawala banking system that is used to transfer money across the country in the absence of a formal banking system.

While rural families depend on opium for their survival, and there is a long running tradition of opium consumption for medical and recreational purposes, many Afghan farmers have considerable reservations. There is concern over the diversion of poppy product into illicit drug production which is against Islamic teaching or haram. Where alternative crops are viable, in that they can be raised and brought to market, farmers do readily switch away from opium.

The government eradication programme is in many cases undermined by corrupt practices. Richer farmers can pay off law enforcement officers, in other instances opium is seized and resold by soldiers and police. In the absence of a functioning framework of governance and realistic alternative livelihoods, the eradication exercise only hits the poorest and most vulnerable farmers and serves mainly to undermine the legitimacy of the Afghani government.