MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Farmers in northern Balkh province say they grow poppy crop in their fields because food crops could not meet their needs, while local officials say they are committed to eradicating the banned plant.
Poppy is widely cultivated in Chamtal and Charbolak districts and averagely in Sholgar, Balkh, Dawlatabad, Dehdadi Khalam and some other districts of Balkh.
Farmers say they lack needed facilities to grow other crops and growing poppy is their livelihood.
Local officials did not say how much area is cultivated with poppy but insist they would eradicate . . .
