Afghanistan opium poppy cultivation surges despite Taliban govt ban: UN
Summary
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has more than quadrupled in 2026 despite the Taliban’s ban, according to the United Nations, as poor farmers return to the lucrative crop. The UN says farmers need alternative livelihoods, while Taliban authorities reject the figures and insist eradication efforts have reduced cultivation to nearly zero.
Key Points
- Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan rose to 43,000 hectares in 2026, up from 10,000 hectares in 2025, while opium production increased to 1,500 tonnes, the UNODC said.
- The Taliban authorities disputed the UN figures, saying eradication operations had reduced remaining cultivation to nearly zero.
- Farmers in Badakhshan said poverty, low wheat earnings and fear of authorities are pushing them back to poppy cultivation.
- UNODC said sustainable reduction in opium production requires roads, irrigation, storage, market access and international cooperation, not just crop substitution.
