Sunday, October 23, 2011 – Officials in ministry of counternarcotics of Afghanistan expressed concerns for a boost in opium cultivation in northern Baghlan province.
According to Eng. Mohammad Ibrahim Azhar deputy finance and planning of ministry of counternarcotics of Afghanistan, around 140 hectares of land have been cultivated with opium in Bano Andarab and other areas of Baghlan province during the current year.
While speaking during a press conference, Eng. Azhar said, northern Baghlan province was free of opium cultivation during the past two years.
He also said, the main reason behind an increase in opium cultivation in northern Baghlan province is an increase in opium price in international market and lack of rain and drought, which have affected the formers in this province.
He also vowed to allow funds of $1,160,000 as a gift for Baghlan province if opium cultivation is prevented by farmers for the forthcoming year.
Deputy finance and planning of Afghan counternarcotics ministry Eng. Mohammad Ibrahim Azhar said, around 4 projects were considered for northern Baghlan province for the past two years since there were no poppy cultivation in this province.
According to him around two projects including reconstruction and asphalting process of Khenjan to Bano-Andarab highway and construction provincial council’s conference hall have been completed.
Meanwhile, provincial governor for northern Baghlan province Monshi Abdul Majeed said, Afghan security forces were engaged for the cleanup operations against the militants in this province which prevented them from conducting operations against opium cultivation.
He also urged ministry of counternarcotics for further financial support and said, Baghlan province is facing budget deficit to fight opium cultivation in this province.
This comes as the United Nations following its recent report also expressed concerns for a boost in opium production in Afghanistan.
According to United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, opium production in Afghanistan shows an increase of 61% as compared to 2010.
On the other hand, the number of drugs addicted is dramatically increasing in northern Baghlan province which have led to a social issue for the citizens of this province.
Report by Ajmal Omeri, Baghlan province
