Opium Production rises for the third year in Afghanistan, UN

Opium Production rises for the third year in Afghanistan, UNAccording to a new report released by the United Nation, the total opium poppy cultivation has increased for the third year in the war ravaged nation of Afghanistan.

The multinational agency said that it expects the opium poppy cultivation to touch its record high this year. The report noted that the cultivation has been rising particularly in the southern part of the country, which is dotted by Taliban hardliners and in areas where the US-led coalition troops have withdrawn or are in the process of withdrawing.

The report cited the prices of opium as one of the main reasons for the increasing cultivation of the crop, which is used to produce illegal substances. According to the latest data available, Afghanistan is the largest producer of opium, which is the main ingredient in heroin. The country reportedly accounted for as much as 75 per cent of the global opium poppy cultivation. The UN believes that the country's percentage of total production might increase to a whopping 90 per cent this year because of the increased level of production.

Jean-Luc Lemahieu, director of the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime in Afghanistan said that the cultivation is getting to the same heights again as the record years. "A lot of it is hedging for an insecure future and a lot has to do with the political market, which is extremely hot at this moment. The licit economy can only provide so much when you have to buy alliances and make sure that you have the right people on your side," he said.