The Documentary Podcast Is the Taliban’s war on drugs working?
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Jul 5, 2025 Yama Bariz, a BBC journalist focused on Afghanistan, discusses the Taliban's total ban on poppy farming and its far-reaching consequences. He reveals how this drastic measure has failed to eradicate the opium trade, which is now shifting to Pakistan. Personal accounts illustrate the struggles of Afghan farmers adjusting to the ban, highlighting stories of hardship and resilience. Bariz also emphasizes the economic impact on communities, questioning whether the Taliban can effectively support alternative crop cultivation while enforcing such strict policies.
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Afghanistan's Massive Poppy Fields
- Afghanistan was once covered extensively with opium poppy fields, especially in Helmand Province.
- These cultivations were so large that they were visible from space, highlighting the scale of opium production.
Family Life Around Poppy Farming
- Entire families, including women, were involved in cultivating poppy, marking it as a communal activity.
- Harvest time was a festive and financially significant season for many Afghan villages.
Taliban's Shift on Opium Trade
- The Taliban banned poppy farming in 2022 to assert control and align with their religious beliefs.
- Their new governance role shifted their stance from tolerance to ruthless enforcement of the ban.