Phasing Out Opium: Developing a Sustainable Future

in AfghanistanPrepared by:

The Afghanistan Alternative Development Committee

Chris Paventy, Lauren Mellinger, Greg Nelson, Koh Nakamura, Pavitra Ramaswamy & Luciana Amodeo

PurposeWorking at the request of the new administration of USAID to propose ways in which to address the growing concern in regards to opium production

Harmful to local populationsHinders ongoing reconstructions efforts

Focus is on Helmand Province

Helmand Province Demographics

Top: 61,829 km sq.61% desert/rock29% mountain ranges9% total Afghanistan

Total Pop. 1,441,76992% Pashtun

Helmand RiverLargest River running through Helmand

Geographic Security Risks

Northern Mountain Range

Helmand River/Jungle

Afghanistan/Pakistan Border

Current/Projected Military Presence

Current:68,000 U.S.38,000 ISAF106,000 Total

Projected:30,000 U.S.6,000 ISAF145,000 Total

ISAF Military OperationsMarch 2007 – Operation Achilles

Clear Northern region of Taliban forces to begin reconstruction efforts in the area

April and May 2009 – Operations Zafar I & IIInitial strike in preparation for Op. Panther’s Claw

June 2009 – Operation Panther’s ClawSecure River crossing in central Helmand area to establish a semi-permanent ISAF presence

July 2009 – Operation Strike of the SwordContinue to drive Afghan forces South and secure occupied regions

Present Security Concerns

Maintaining security of currently occupied territories and preventing the reemergence of Taliban forcesThe development of self-sustaining Afghani military and police forces, who would represent the main security presence after the withdrawal of foreign aidDeveloping safe and permanent transport lines for both supplies and troop mobilityImproving diplomatic relations with the Pakistan government to tighten security along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border

Agriculture and Alternative Development Sector Profile

Due to the declining price of opium on the world market, Afghan farmers are looking for new opportunities to produce and market alternative crops.The benefit of encouraging licit commercial agriculture:a. Increasing the income of rural populationsb. Fosters recognition among the local farmers

that opium production/trade has destabliizing effect.

Agriculture and Alternative Development Sector Profile

• Several alternative crops have excellent reputation, including:• Almonds, pistachios• Pomegranates, grapes• Expanding the market for these crops is the

best way to promote licit agriculture in Helmand Province, and thus reduce opium production/trade.

Agriculture and Alternative Development Sector Profile

• Helmand Province already has the capacity for expanding agriculture and developing alternative crops:• Province is fertile with deep soils – potential

for agriculture, livestock, fishery, forestry, and horticulture.

• Infrastructure already in place for natural water sources and irrigation.

• Suitable climate for long season cultivation of crops, including wheat, maize, beans, barley, and orchards.

Agriculture and Alternative Development Sector Profile

Prior success in alternative crop development has already dramatically decreased the number of poppy-growing provinces in Afghanistan to 20 in 2009.Continuing this successful program requires expanding the USAID program to increase the number of farmers, as well as agribusiness and government service providers within Helmand province.

Total Poppy Production in Afghanistan (hectares)

*Figures for 2009 are based on UNODC estimates of 8% reduction from 2008.

Source: UNODC World Drug Report 2009

Price of Raw Poppy in Helmand (USD/Kg.)

*No recorded data between October 2003 and February 2004

Source: UNODC Afghanistan Opium Survey 2008

Source: UNODC Opium Price Monitoring, June 2009

Alternative Crop Prices

Cotton Beef Poultry Lamb Poppy$0.00

$10.00$20.00$30.00$40.00$50.00$60.00$70.00$80.00

Ave 2009 Price (USD/Kg.)Ave 2009 Prices (USD/Kg.)

Pomegranate $2.50Wheat $0.21Maize $0.15Barley $0.11Cotton $3.05Beef $58.96

Poultry $43.27Lamb $72.70

Peanuts $0.91Fish $4.41

Poppy $70.50

Source: indexmundi.comAlthough some of the alternative crop prices

(wheat, maize, barley) seem to be incomparable to that of poppy, it is important to note that they tend to have other benefits such as they take much less time and energy to cultivate.

Alternative Development ProgramTwo goals:

Increase jobs for and sales by afghan farmers, herders, and businesses.Increase their confidence in the government.

Core Actions of USAID:Provide the materials, technology, and expertise necessary to produce, process, and market high-value crops.

Other Actions:Improve watershed management and irrigation and infrastructure.

Roads between farms and marketplaces and actual marketplace infrastructure.

Facilitate access to credit and seek to develop new markets.

FundingIncreased until 2006; Since budget has declined by 20%.

RecommendationsIncrease annual budget for program by 30% within a year to coincide with the military surge just issued by President Obama. Give greater importance to developing new foreign markets.

Focus on regional rather than global markets.However, push for legislation to be passed about Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs)

USAIDUSAID in Helmand closely cooperate with local and international partners for the implementation of their projectsUSAID has personnel in 19 Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRTs) across Afghanistan

The field program officers monitor all U.S. reconstruction and development efforts

International Partners U.K. Department for International Development (DFID)

Alternative Agriculture Livelihood

International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) Future Harvest Consortium to Rebuild Agriculture in Afghanistan (FHCRAA)

Under the leadership of the ICARDA, this organization consists of 34 organizations

Afghani government Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) launched the National Area Based Development Program (NABDP)

Under this program, projects have been requested by local communities through the District Development Assembly (DDAs)

The central government-led Afghan Eradication Force (AEF) The Helmand’s Governor-Led Eradication (GLE)

RecommendationCreation of a joint task force under the strong leadership of Afghanistan government

UNDP

USAID

Afghani government

PRTs DFID

ICARDA

GLE

Project implementing

partners

AEF

FHCRAA

MRRD

NABPP

DDAsDDAs

Joint Task ForceAfghani

government

・ Supporting, such as monetary aids

・ cooperation

USAID-AFGHAN GOVT PARTNERSHIP

Poppy cultivation undermines good governance & funds insurgent activities in the Helmand province

Helmand with an area roughly the size of Switzerland continues to produce more narcotics than any other country.

GOVT FAILURE TO COUNTER

NARCOTICS

USAID-AFGHAN GOVT PARTNERSHIPRECOMMENDATIONS

•Counternarcotics viewed as a Western agenda•Forceful eradication undermines govt legitimacy in absence of alternative livelihoods•Military action or aerial spraying of poppy fields alienate locals•Coercive measures must target opium warehouses and drug war lords.

RESTRICT

COERCIVE

POPPY ERADICATION

SHORT TERM GOALS

• Eradication leads to price increase which transfers profits from farmers to traffickers

• 80% profits located in trafficking• Strike at the demand chain to

trace the supply link of Opium• Strengthen interdiction efforts of

the police and military• Improve controls at ports,

airports, borders

FOCUS ON TRAFFICKING

USAID-AFGHAN GOVT PARTNERSHIPRECOMMENDATIONS

MID TERM GOALS

USAID-AFGHAN GOVT PARTNERSHIPRECOMMENDATIONS

• Incentives for Affirmative Action: Leniency towards opium growers during transition period

• Strengthen Developmental Work: Infrastructure, Helmand Agro Fair

• Building Accountability: Establishment of an Independent Corruption Reporting Cell

• Enforce strict action against corrupt government officials

• Creation of a job bank in the Helmand province

PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNAN

CE

MID TERM GOALS

USAID-AFGHAN GOVT PARTNERSHIPRECOMMENDATIONS

• Improve Pay Package: The average Afghan soldier makes about US$200 per month 

• Mandatory Drug Tests for all police/military/security personnel

• Training local officers in counter-insurgency and law-enforcement operations

TACKLING

CORRUPTION

IN POLICE FORCES

MID TERM GOALS

USAID-AFGHAN GOVT PARTNERSHIPRECOMMENDATIONS

• Constituting a USAID led research committee to follow up on the “Feasibility Study on Opium Licensing in Afghanistan for the Production of Morphine and other Essential Medicines” carried out by the Senlis Council in 2005

• Research to investigate the possibility of using existing poppy crops to produce opium-based medicines such as morphine and codeine

EXPLORING MEDICINAL USAGE OF

OPIUM

LONG TERM GOALS

Engagement ApproachThe USAID mission in aiding Afghan farmers from the opium trade to alternative crop requires appropriate interaction and engagement with local communities. This engagement necessitates a deep cultural and social understanding of local communities and how they function. In keeping with this idea, Afghanistan Alternative Development Committee advocates the teaching of Pashtunwali to its workers sent to the Helmand province and a focus of the mission around Pashtunwali principles

Pashtunwali The structure that rules the tribes is called Pashtunwali, “an unwritten code controlling, guiding and balancing, to large extent, the form, character and discipline of the Pathan way of life.” Pashtunwali, Afghanan dot NetPashtunwali is comprised of seven primary components and are meant to give meaning to the interactions the Pashtuns have with each other and the outside world. They are designed to give guidance to ethical and moral decisions a Pashtun will face during their lives.

Recommendations

Before USAID workers set foot in Afghanistan they should be educated in Afghan social and cultural customs by natives. This education should include serious attention and focus on the Pashtun tribal society and their practice and incorporation of Pashtunwali in customary law. Once educated in such customs, USAID workers should be trained in tools of persuasion that incorporate values of Pashtunwali. Persuade Pashtuns of the benefits of alternative cropping by appealing to their sense of Pashtunwali.

Public Diplomacy Campaign

Educate people about the dangers of being involved with the drugs trade as well the legal implicationsBuild awareness through local media networksSend local teams to build awareness campaigns in schools, villages, hospitals All public awareness campaigns to be carried out in Pashto