Ban on Afhgan Poppies forces farmers to Taleban
June 21st, 2008
Poppy is a labour intensive crop, so even landless labourers get some small share of the profits.
It is more effective than aid at reaching the poor, one development worker told me.
This year in Nangarhar, growing poppies is not an option.
In Juma Khan’s district, farmers have been arrested for breaking the ban.
Some men spoke about joining the Taleban to make money, they pay their fighters £70 ($140) a month, or the Afghan National Army who pay rather less. [emphasis added]
But you’ll not be hearing about this in mainstream American press.