The cultivation of opium in Afghanistan has reached record high levels in the year that the majority of Nato troops withdrew from combat action.
The Afghan opium survey by the United Nations office on drugs and crime (UNODC) say that a record-breaking 224,000 hectares was cultivated in 2014, which was a 7% rise on 2013’s figure. This is enough poppies to more than cover the entire county of Leicestershire.
Afghanistan produces 90% of the world’s illicit opiates with yields of the drug this year expected to reach 6,400 tonnes based on the amount of poppies cultivated.
The US has spent $7.6bn (£4.8bn) in trying to eradicate poppies since operations in the country began in 2001, according to a government watchdog. This year 2,692 hectares have been eradicated, a reduction of 63% on the amount removed in 2013 and just over 1% of the total.
The government watchdog’s report said that the opium economy employs 411,000 Afghans, which is more than make up the country’s national security forces. The poppy industry still makes up 4% of Afghanistan’s estimated gross domestic product (GDP), according to the UNODC.
While production declined in 2001, the year that coalition forces invaded, it is now several times higher than it ever was when the Taliban controlled the country.
Opium poppy is the third most valuable crop in the world, with every square kilometre worth an average of $6m. The value of this year’s Afghan crop is estimated to be $850m, according to the UNODC.
Helmand province in south Afghanistan, which was the main centre of UK military action from 2006 until the withdrawal this year, remains the region producing the most opium - 46% of the country’s total.
Earlier this year it was revealed that the first six months of 2014 had been the deadliest for civilians since the UN started keeping records in 2009.
The conflict has also resulted in the deaths of 3,466 coalition troops including 2,201 from the US and 453 from the UK.
