بدخشان کې د چرسو د کروندو د له‌منځه وړلو بهیر پیل شو

Officials say that the cultivation of opium and cannabis in this province has significantly decreased compared to previous years.

They attribute the decline mainly to the destruction of large-scale opium and cannabis fields over the past two years and increased public awareness among farmers and local communities.

Nouruddin Fateh, the head of the Counter-Narcotics Department in Badakhshan, said: “Compared to last year and the year before, now even 20 percent of what it was before doesn’t exist. Religious scholars, community elders, and local leaders tell people that this is a very harmful plant. It destroys our youth, but, thankfully, very few people plant it now.”

Zabiullah Ebrat, the official in charge of the cannabis eradication operation, also stated: “We urge all people not to cultivate opium or cannabis. Instead, they should plant beans, wheat, rice, or trees. This is our message to everyone.”

Farmers who have suffered losses due to the destruction of narcotic crop fields are calling for support to provide them with alternative cultivation options.

One farmer, Samiullah, said: “We ask the government to provide us with water, fertilizer, and seeds. If we are given wheat, maize, lentils, and chickpeas, we will stop cultivating opium and stay away from it.”

Another farmer, Sayed Mohammad, added: “The government should support us. If they give us beans, lentils, and chickpeas, we will no longer grow opium or other narcotic plants. We want the government to cooperate with us in this way.”

Officials say that Kishm, Argo, Darayem, Tashkan, Yaftal-e-Payeen, Jurm, Warduj, and the provincial capital, Faizabad, are the areas where narcotic crops are still being cultivated.