LASHKARGAH - A number of farmers who previously sowed wheat and corn crops have cultivated poppy plant in their fields in southern Helmand province this year.
Abdul Bari, a farmer in Nad Ali district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he cultivated different crops last year, but none had good income.
He said, “I cultivated wheat, corn and groundnut last year which had no good income but this year I cultivated poppy and I expect a good income from it.”
He said a large number of farmers had cultivated poppy in their fields in areas under government’s control and were expecting reasonable outcome.
Hikmatullah, another grower in the same district, said he along with his father had cultivated poppy in their fields.

He added poppy was cultivated in a very less number of areas under government control.
The Taliban have not yet commented in this regard but earlier they had said the ongoing conflict had badly hit people’s economy, therefore the rebels did not ban the illicit plant. (Pajhwok)