Poppy cultivation reaches near Helmand’s capital

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Residents of southern Helmand province say poppy has been widely cultivated in the province not only in districts but in areas around Lashkargah, the provincial capital.

Atta Mohammad, a resident of Helmand’s Nad Ali district, told Pajhwok Afghan News on Wednesday that poppy cultivation had once again increased in the province.

“In the past, only a few people would cultivate the illicit plant, but now it has become a good source of income for many and everyone grows it,” he said.

Mohammad said that except 40 days, the climate throughout the year was suitable for cultivation of poppy in Helmand.

“Cultivating poppy adds to the credibility of a farmer among people”, said a farmer Esmatullah.

"Shopkeepers in the village do not give loans to those who have not grown poppy, they lend money to those who have grown it, they also treat the plant’s growers very respectfully," he said.

Another farmer, Toyalai, said that poppy cultivation was simpler compared to growing other crops and it also had a great income, a reason many people grow it.

“When you cultivate wheat or other plants, you must go to shopkeepers and merchants for selling it to them, but when you cultivate poppy, merchants come to you for buying it, and they give good amount of money,” he added.

The farmer said people had cultivated lots of poppy in capital Lashkar Gah city and in other areas.

According to farmers, four kilograms of opium are currently sold for 35,000 to 40,000 Pakistani rupees in Helmand.

Provincial agriculture director, Zalmai Alko, declined to comment on the matter.

However, Mohammad Zaman Hamdard, police spokesman, told Pajhwok that poppy was grown only in areas outside government’s control.

“There is no poppy cultivation in areas we control, but the plant is widely cultivated in Taliban’s controlled areas,” he concluded.

The Taliban did not say anything on the regard.

Mds/ma