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Afghanistan poppy cultivation declines; opium production rises
The White House in a statement, issued on February 7, 2020, released the results of the annual estimate of the US Government assessing the ‘poppy cultivation’ and ‘potential opium production’ in Afghanistan, 2011 through 2019.
The estimate indicates that the poppy cultivation decreased in 2019 than that of 2018.
The statement writes, “Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan declined 28 percent, from 221,000 hectares in 2018 to 160,000 hectares in 2019. Conversely, potential pure opium production increased by 21 percent, from 5,550 metric tons in 2018 to 6,700 metric tons in 2019.”
It, however, states that potential pure opium production has increased.
“Low opium prices at planting time drove the decline in cultivation. The rise in potential pure production is a direct result of favorable weather and harvesting conditions,” the statement continues.
The statement underlines that the cultivation of poppy and the production of opium, in large scales, add to the challenges for the Afghan government to stabilize the ‘rule of law’ and also, fuel insecurity and corruption.
Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary says in a tweet, “The drugs trade fuels instability and undermines good governance & development of Afghanistan’s economy.”
“Important for law enforcement to take action against corrupt officials,” Wells added.
The US government, through the statement, promises that it will continue to support the Afghan government in tackling this disastrous phenomenon.
“The consequences of Afghanistan heroin trafficking are felt by the citizens of Afghanistan and countries along worldwide drug trafficking routes. The United States Government will continue its work to enhance its longstanding partnership with the government of Afghanistan to address this serious problem,” the statement noted.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced that it will continue providing its essential health services to the people of Afghanistan.
In a post on X, the organization, referring to Afghanistan’s health needs, said that over the past year it has been active in various health sectors across the country, ranging from maternal and child care to emergency response, as well as the treatment of patients suffering from tuberculosis and severe injuries.
According to MSF, its teams over the past year have been present at a range of health facilities, including neonatal intensive care units, operating theatres, surgical centers, and specialized tuberculosis treatment wards, where they have delivered life-saving services to patients.
The organization stressed that it will continue ensuring the provision of health services, particularly for needy families and vulnerable communities in remote areas of Afghanistan.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, currently run by diplomats of the previous government, has announced that it will suspend its operations in Tokyo after the end of January 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the embassy said the decision was made after consultations with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Japanese authorities, and in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The embassy added that after January 31, all of its political, economic, cultural, and consular activities will be halted until further notice.
Currently, Shaida Abdali is serving as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Japan.
Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, held a courtesy meeting with Zakir Jalali, the Second Political Deputy of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the start of his mission.
The Turkish Embassy in Kabul said in a post that the meeting included mutual exchanges of views on bilateral relations.
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