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Afghanistan currently supplies over 90% of the world’s illegal opium, a harvest that contributes to ongoing violence, narco-terrorism, and corruption.

At the same time, poppy cultivation provides millions of rural Afghans with their livelihoods. With another bumper harvest expected in 2007, opium will continue to dominate the country’s economic, social, and political future.

David Mansfield and Dr. William Byrd, leading experts on the narcotics economy of Afghanistan, addressed the challenges posed by the illicit cultivation of poppy and its impact on the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan issues and discussed policy options during a public dialogue in Ottawa on June 28, 2007.

Mansfield is a drugs and development specialist, currently advising a range of organizations, including the UK Government, the European Community, the World Bank, as well as various Non-governmental organizations with regard to illicit drugs in Afghanistan and rural livelihoods.

Byrd is currently serving in the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC as an advisor in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Unit of the South Asia Region. Until recently he was the Bank’s Senior Economic Advisor based in Kabul, and has been responsible for helping develop the Bank’s strategy for support to Afghanistan’s reconstruction effort.

Lucy van Oldenbarneveld of CBC News at Six moderated the dialogue, which was organized by Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the International Development Research Centre.

Listen to the presentation.

A few facts: The opium trade accounts for 1/3 of Afghanistan’s total economic activity Opium production rose by 49% in 2006 90% of the world’s illegal opium output comes from Afghanistan. Roughly 10% of Afghanistan’s total population are involved in opium cultivation. (source: World Bank)

2007-07

News 48 of 153