UNODC SCC: The Project for Strengthening Counternarcotics Capacities

Afghanistan used to meet 80% of global opiate demand, with Helmand and Kandahar producing 65% of the crop. The 2021 UNODC report revealed that poppy cultivation generated $2.8 billion, primarily from southern Afghanistan. However, the April 2022 opium ban led to higher prices, worsening food insecurity and debt for farmers. This situation mirrors the challenges after the 2001 ban, which displaced many families and disrupted the opium-based credit system. The situation is even more difficult for marginalized groups such as women, children, the elderly, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), who face deepening poverty and limited access to essential services. Political instability, a harsh winter, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic have made things worse. Women's livelihoods have been hit hard, with a 63% reduction in employment, and over one million widowed women face discrimination and increased hardship. Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA) under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-funded project, aims to improve livelihoods in poppy-growing regions like Kandahar. The project offers sustainable alternatives to poppy farming, including water harvesting, wheat production, and cultivating high-value crops like saffron, vegetables, and cotton. It also focuses on empowering women through animal husbandry and improving animal health services. Local communities will benefit from the establishment of milk collection centers, feed and seed banks, and training in modern farming techniques, which will help boost productivity and resilience. This initiative seeks to reduce dependency on poppy cultivation and promote long-term economic stability for Afghanistan's vulnerable populations.