AFGHANISTAN - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Afghanistan Opium Rapid Assessment Survey, February, 2006
NORTH-EASTERN ZONE
BADAKHSHAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Interviews with village headmen indicated that cultivation levels in 2006 may increase sharply. In
2005, fear of eradication led to an increase in opium poppy cultivation in rain-fed and remote
areas. In 2006, a sharp increase is expected in both rain-fed and irrigated areas. The main opium -
growing areas in Badakhshan are the Faizabad, Jurm, Kishm and Baharak districts.
Eradication
Farmers are aware of the threat of eradication and the Government ban and are closely following
eradication activities in southern Afghanistan to assess the degree of risk that they may incur by
cultivating opium poppy.
Opium poppy cultivation details:
Cultivation in 2005 (hectares) 7 369
Type of cultivation
Irrigated and rain-fed
Projected trends in 2005-2006 Strong increase
Cultivation levels
Very high
Eradication reported
None
Planting time
Autumn/spring
Expected main harvest time End of June
Security situation
Good
Dry opium price (US$/kg) 132
The total number of villages in Badakhshan province is 1,822. The ORAS collected information in
34 villages.
TAKHAR PROVINCE
Cultivation
Respondents reported either no change or a slight increase in opium poppy cultivation in all
districts in 2006. Takhar lies on a major trafficking route to Tajikistan (via the Chah Ab, Yangi Qala,
Darqad and Rustaq districts).
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