Afghan Farmers Are Turning to Opium for Security

 Growing pomegranates was the pride of most farmers in Arghandab, Afghanistan. Many generations of farmers profited off of hundreds of acres of this fruit until two problems arose: drought and the Taliban's military campaign. Farmer's found it impossible to irrigate their trees year round which caused lower yields. The affects of the Taliban left border closures and fragments of shrapnel and debris in the fields. As a result, farmers have cleared out hundred of acres of pomegranate trees to grow opium poppy instead. The crop requires less irrigation and stores for longer than pomegranates would. Despite previously being illegal, the war almost encouraged the income from the illicit drug. Closed borders were not an issue for opium poppy either, because smugglers inside the country made it easy. 

In Hard Times, Afghan Farmers Are Turning to Opium for Security - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Katelyn