Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan quadruples despite Taliban ban, reaching 43,300 hectares

In Afghanistan, opium poppy cultivation surged to 43,300 hectares in 2026, a significant increase from 10,000 hectares in 2025. This rise is attributed to worsening poverty and malnutrition among farmers, who are turning back to poppy cultivation despite the Taliban's strict ban. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that opium production has also increased, highlighting the dire economic conditions faced by many families in the region.