US gives millions to Afghan provinces that cut poppy production

The US is handing out millions of dollars in development money to provinces in Afghanistan that have eliminated or reduced the production of opium poppies.

The poppy crop in Afghanistan, which produces 90% of the world’s supply of opium, is linked to corruption, addiction and a drug trade that bankrolls the Taliban.

Curbing the cultivation of poppies is the goal of a US program that has dolled out $80m (€53m) since 2007. That includes the $38.7m (€25.8m) the US announced today that it is giving to 27 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces that either reduced poppy cultivation by more than 10% or became poppy free this year.

In the past, the money has been used to provide farm machinery, dig irrigation canals and build public buildings, such as schools, clinics and stadia.