UN to launch alternative crop project in Kandahar, Helmand

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The United Nations (UN) is launching an alternative crop project in southern Kandahar and Helmand provinces to replace poppy cultivation.

According to a statement from the Kandahar governor’s office, representatives from three United Nations agencies—the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—met with the provincial governor, Mullah Sherin Akhund, on Wednesday.

The statement said with support of these UN agencies, the alternative crop project in Kandahar and Helmand will begin in 2025.

It added the project will include provision of seeds and other necessary supplies to farmers, the establishment of greenhouses, goats, chickens, and animal feed to needy families, supporting farmers and orchard owners, training them, establishing orchards, marketing, improving the capacity of displaced Afghan families to adapt to climate change, constructing check dams, and more.

During the meeting, Kandahar Governor Mullah Sherin Akhund emphasized that a ban on narcotics cultivation and trafficking has been imposed nationwide, and no one was allowed to violate this prohibition.

He added that farmers have many needs in terms of alternative crops, and with the launch of this project, they will switch to other crops, and their needs will be addressed.

The governor also assured full cooperation for successful implementation of the project.

sa/ma