Poppy cultivation drops 80pc in Nangarhar: Amarkhel

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Governor Ziaul Haq Amarkhel on Saturday said poppy cultivation had declined by 80 percent in Nangarhar province and the remaining 20 percent was cultivated in insecure districts.

Amarkhel told this a meeting “Media Role in Poppy Cultivation Prevention” organized by the Voice of America Television.

Amarkhel linked the huge drop in poppy cultivation to spreading awareness through media, exploring alternative income sources, strict monitoring from the government and cooperation of farmers.

Mohammad Ehsan Ehsan, counternarcotics police chief, said 335 counter-narcotics raids were conducted by police, in which 411 people were arrested.

He said 10,189kg of different types of drugs, 140 vehicles and 15 weapons were recovered from the detainees. In addition poppy crop on 310 acres land was eradicated last year.

Public Health Director Dr. Nasir Kamawal said five facilities to rehabilitate drug addicts in the province were not enough.

Agriculture Director Enamulah Sapi said without cooperation of farmers, it would be difficult to stop poppy cultivation, adding that through introducing alternative crop, poppy cultivation was prevented in many areas.

Nh/ma

Visits: 89