01621-Afg RAS 2006

Government of Afghanistan
Ministry of Counter Narcotics
AFGHANISTAN
Opium Rapid Assessment Survey
February 2006
Afghanistan Opium Rapid Assessment Survey, February 2006
Abbreviations
ANP Afghan National Police

CPEF Central Poppy Eradication Force
GPS Global Positioning System
ICMP Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme (UNODC)
MCN Ministry of Counter-Narcotics
MoI Ministry of the Interior
ORAS Opium Rapid Assessment Survey
RAS Research and Analysis Section (UNODC)
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Acknowledgements
The following organizations and individuals contributed to the implementation of the 2006 Opium
Rapid Assessment Survey in Afghanistan and to the preparation of the present report:
Ministry of Counter-Narcotics:
Ibrahim Azhar (Director, Survey and Monitoring Section), Zafer Zafar (Deputy Director, Survey and
Monitoring Section), Kiali Jan (Survey Coordinator for the central region), Mateen (Survey
Coordinator for the Nangarhar region), Abdul Latif (Survey Coordinator for the Herat region), Fida
Mohammad (Survey Coordinator for the Balkh region), Mohammed Ishaq Anderabi (Survey
Coordinator for the Badakhshan region), Ahmad Qais Aamir (database expert), Zuhra Saddiqe
(data clerk), Nooria Khairandish (data clerk), Zia Ulhaq (data clerk).
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Kabul)
Doris Buddenberg (Representative), Hakan Demirbüken (Regional Illicit Crop Monitoring Expert for
South-West Asia and Survey Project Manager, RAS/ICMP), Shirish Ravan (Remote Sensing
Expert, RAS/ICMP), Nazir Ahmad Shah (National Project Coordinator), Ziauddin Zaki (Database
Expert), Fazal Mohammad Fazli (Coordinator for the Kandahar region), Mohammad Alam Ghalib
(Coordinator for the Nangarhar region), Altaf Hussain Joya (Coordinator for the Herat region),
Mohammed Alem Yaqubi (Coordinator for the Badakhshan region), Lutfi Rahman Lutfi
(Coordinator for the Balkh region), Abdul Basir Basiret (Survey Coordinator for the Nangarhar
region), Abdul Latif Ehsan (Survey Coordinator for the Herat region), Abdul Jalil Hussain Khel
(Survey Coordinator for the Balkh region), Abdul Qadir Palwal (Survey Coordinator for the
Kandahar region), Fawad Alahi (Survey Coordinator for the Herat Region), Abdul Mannan
Ahmadzai (Administration/Finance Assistant).
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Vienna)
Anja Korenblik (Programme Manager, RAS/ICMP), Thibault le Pichon (Chief, RAS), Martin
Raithelhuber (Programme Officer, RAS/ICMP).
The survey would not have been possible without the dedicated work of the field surveyors.
Implementation of the UNODC Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme in South-West Asia and of the
Afghanistan Opium Rapid Assessment Survey in 2006 was made possible thanks to financial
contributions from the Governments of the United Kingdom, Italy and Finland.
1
Afghanistan Opium Rapid Assessment Survey, February, 2006
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................. 5
2. FINDINGS................................................................................................................................................ 7
2.1. GENERAL FINDINGS ........................................................................................................................... 7
NORTH-EASTERN ZONE ................................................................................................................................ 18
BADAKHSHAN PROVINCE ................................................................................................................... 18
TAKHAR PROVINCE.............................................................................................................................. 18
EASTERN ZONE ............................................................................................................................................ 20
NANGARHAR PROVINCE ..................................................................................................................... 20
KUNAR PROVINCE................................................................................................................................ 20
NURISTAN PROVINCE .......................................................................................................................... 22
NORTHERN ZONE ......................................................................................................................................... 23
BAGHLAN PROVINCE........................................................................................................................... 23
BALKH PROVINCE ................................................................................................................................ 23
BAMYAN PROVINCE ............................................................................................................................. 25
FARYAB PROVINCE .............................................................................................................................. 25
KUNDUZ PROVINCE............................................................................................................................. 26
JAWZJAN PROVINCE ............................................................................................................................ 26
SAMANGAN PROVINCE ........................................................................................................................ 27
SARI PUL PROVINCE ............................................................................................................................ 27
CENTRAL ZONE............................................................................................................................................ 28
GHAZNI PROVINCE .............................................................................................................................. 28
KHOST PROVINCE ................................................................................................................................ 28
LOGAR PROVINCE................................................................................................................................ 29
PAKTIKA PROVINCE............................................................................................................................. 29
PAKTYA PROVINCE .............................................................................................................................. 30
PARWAN PROVINCE ............................................................................................................................. 30
KAPISA PROVINCE ............................................................................................................................... 31
WARDAK PROVINCE............................................................................................................................. 31
SOUTHERN ZONE ......................................................................................................................................... 32
KANDAHAR PROVINCE ........................................................................................................................ 32
HELMAND PROVINCE.......................................................................................................................... 33
URUZGAN PROVINCE .......................................................................................................................... 34
ZABUL PROVINCE................................................................................................................................. 35
WESTERN ZONE ........................................................................................................................................... 36
HERAT PROVINCE ................................................................................................................................ 36
FARAH PROVINCE ................................................................................................................................ 36
NIMROZ PROVINCE.............................................................................................................................. 37
GHOR PROVINCE.................................................................................................................................. 37
BADGHIS PROVINCE............................................................................................................................ 38
Maps
Map 1: Expected opium poppy cultivation trends in 2006 (by province) ......................................... 11
Map 2: Expected opium poppy cultivation trends in 2006 (by district) ............................................ 12
Map 3: Opium poppy planting calendar in 2006 ............................................................................. 13
Map 4: Expected opium poppy flowering time in 2006 ................................................................... 14
Map 5: Expected opium poppy harvest time in 2006 ...................................................................... 15
Map 6: Dry opium prices (USD) ...................................................................................................... 16
Map 7: ORAS 2006 sampling frame and selected villages............................................................. 17
2
INTRODUCTION
Within the framework of its global Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme (ICMP), UNODC cooperates
with the Afghan Government to operate an opium monitoring system and to conduct annual opium
surveys in Afghanistan, the largest centre of illicit opium production in the world.
To ensure effective and continuous monitoring of the opium production problem in the country, the
system includes three distinct but interrelated components:
1. OPIUM RAPID ASSESSMENT SURVEY (DECEMBER-JANUARY)
The objective of the Opium Rapid Assessment Survey (ORAS) is to assess the situation at
the middle of the cultivation cycle in order to guide the preparation of the Annual Opium
Survey. Implemented over a three-week period beginning in early December, the ORAS
collects information on the geographical distribution and dynamics of opium poppy
cultivation and anticipated harvest times. It also attempts to gather information on other
factors likely to influence the implementation of the Annual Opium Survey, such as
eradication activities and the security situation on the ground. It does not give a quantitative
forecast of the forthcoming opium harvest. The ORAS 2006 was conducted earlier than the
ORAS of previous years in order to make the relevant results available to the Afghan
Government and main stakeholders in good time, i.e. before the opium poppy flowering
period. The early scheduling of the survey has the added advantage that the field work can
be completed before weather conditions become unfavourable.
2. ANNUAL OPIUM SURVEY (MARCH-AUGUST)
Implemented from April to August, the Annual Opium Survey combines ground-level and
remote sensing activities to create a robust yet flexible opium monitoring instrument. It
provides quantitative estimates and detailed maps of the geographical distribution and
levels of opium poppy cultivation and opium production during the year. The report of this
survey is published around September. The 2006 Survey will comprise the following
elements:
Opium Poppy Cultivation Survey

Estimates of areas under opium poppy cultivation in the provinces of Badakhshan,
Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Farah, Nimroz,
Faryab, Jawzjan, Badghis, Sari Pul, Samangan, Daykundi, Ghor, Herat, Zabul and
Balkh will be drawn up using satellite images (in 19 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces).
A village survey will monitor opium poppy cultivation in those provinces which are
not covered by satellite imagery. In addition, the Village Survey for 2006 will cover
issues relating to cannabis cultivation, poverty, drug trafficking and a variety of
socio-economic factors affecting villages and farmers.
Crop Development Survey

In order to gain a better understanding of crop development over the year and its
associated phenological patterns in different ecological zones, surveyors take
photos of fields with opium poppy, wheat and a number of other crops in
strategically selected villages every 15 days over a period of two and a half months.
The location of the photographs is recorded with a GPS device. This information
helps to optimize the timing of the field work of the Opium Poppy Cultivation Survey
and facilitates a more detailed interpretation of the satellite images.
3
Yield Survey
A capsule measurement survey is carried out during harvest time to estimate opium
poppy yield. A village survey will be carried out in 320 villages, in each of which
three fields will be visited.
Eradication Verification Survey

Eradication activities in 2006 will be carried out by Governors, the Afghan
Eradication Forces (AEF) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The Ministry of
Counter-Narcotics and UNODC will jointly verify all eradication activities, using
village survey visits, aerial photographs and satellite images.
3. MONTHLY PRICE COLLECTION
As a proxy indicator of opium market dynamics in Afghanistan, opium prices are collected
every month throughout the year in various provinces of Afghanistan (Helmand, Kandahar,
Nangahar, Badakhshan, Balkh and Herat). In 2006, price collection will be extended to
other selected provinces such as Farah, Ghor and Faryab.
This report presents the findings of the 2006 Opium Rapid Assessment Survey. The results of the
ORAS provide important inputs for planning the forthcoming Annual Opium Survey, inter alia with
respect to security provided for the surveyors, trends in and the importance of opium poppy
cultivation, eradication levels, expected harvest time, etc.
The survey reports are available at: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring
4
1. METHODOLOGY
The Opium Rapid Assessment Survey, including training and deployment, was conducted from 4
December 2005 to 8 January 2006 by 70 local field surveyors. It was jointly supervised by the
Ministry of Counter-Narcotics (MCN) and UNODC. The surveyors were selected on the basis of
their experience in opium poppy surveys, knowledge of local customs and their acceptance by
local communities.
The surveyors conducted structured interviews with the ‘headmen’ of selected villages in each
district. A total of 469 villages in 266 districts were surveyed across all provinces.1 A stratified
sampling method was used to select the villages. The results of previous surveys show that opium
poppy cultivation is most successful at altitudes below 1500m, where it is significantly more
widespread than in areas of higher elevation, whereas opium poppy cultivation above 2500m is
comparatively rare. In view of the uneven distribution of opium poppy cultivation at different
elevations, a stratified sampling method was used to select the sample villages. The villages in the
sampling frame were divided into three groups (strata) according to their elevation:
Group 1: Villages located at an elevation of less than 1500m

Group 2: Villages located at elevations between 1500m and 2500m
Group 3: Villages located at an elevation of more than 2500m
Villages were selected from each group using a systematic random selection technique. The total
sampling ratio was 1.5 per cent. The design and size of the sample facilitate the establishment of
cultivation trends. The sample is not designed for calculating quantitative areas or production
estimates. In addition to the sample villages, the surveyors, using their knowledge of the local
situation, visited other areas in the province to complement their assessment both of opium poppy
cultivation trends and the security situation throughout the province.
Surveyor training and data collection

A total of 70 surveyors, together with nine survey coordinators, were given training in the use of the
survey form and survey techniques over a four-day period prior to the survey by local UNODC staff
in Kabul.
In Afghanistan, opium poppy cultivation is illegal and considered to be forbidden under Islam. The
collection of information on such a sensitive subject is therefore difficult and can be dangerous.
Surveyors are selected from different regions of Afghanistan through a very careful selection
process. UNODC and MCN regional offices and coordinators recruit surveyors according to the
survey specifications and the surveyors’ skills. Most of the selected surveyors already have
experience in conducting UNODC surveys.
Surveyors were trained in techniques for approaching local community members and conducting
interviews. Following intensive theoretical and practical training, they were deployed to the field,
where inter alia they interviewed headmen of villages. UNODC and MCN coordinators monitored
both the surveyors and the progress of the survey closely. Fortunately, the surveyors did not face
any security problems.
1
In 2005, the Afghan Government reorganized the country's administrative division into 34 provinces.
However, for technical reasons, the ORAS 2006 was designed, and its results are presented, according to
the previous administrative division of 32 provinces.
5
On a trial basis, the surveyors also collected information relating to crime and the justice
system. The data collected and experience gained will provide useful information for the further
development of crime-related data collection activities.
Photo: Surveyors during training
Photo: Data collection (surveyor interviews village headman)
6
2. FINDINGS
2.1. GENERAL FINDINGS

Opium poppy cultivation
The Opium Rapid Assessment Survey (ORAS) for 2006 shows an increasing trend in opium poppy
cultivation in 13 provinces, a decreasing trend in three provinces and no change in 16 provinces as
compared to the results of the Annual Opium Poppy Survey 2005.
At the end of February 2005, the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics and UNODC announced an
expected decrease in opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, which was confirmed by the survey
results reported in August 2005. In 2005, the main reason for that decrease was non-cultivation in
major opium poppy-growing provinces such as Nangarhar, Uruzgan, Laghman, Badakhshan and
Kunar. However, ORAS results for 2006 indicate that the situation is different this year. Villagers
have already planted crops on a scale equal to or exceeding that of 2005, on the basis of which
opium poppy cultivation in the majority of Afghanistan’s provinces is not expected to decrease in
2006. This situation may change, however, depending on the eradication campaign scheduled for
2006. No major eradication activity was reported in Afghanistan between the beginning of the
planting period (October-November 2005) and the end of December 2005.
A comparison of provincial trends expected in 2006 and opium poppy cultivation levels in the same
provinces in 2005 indicates an increase in cultivation in 13 of 32 provinces in 2006. Farmers in
those provinces are aware of the Government’s ban on opium poppy cultivation and the planned
eradication campaign, but do not believe that those measures will be enforced. In the Helmand,
Badakhshan, Zabul, Ghor and Uruzgan provinces, which together accounted for 40 per cent of the
total area under opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan in 2005, a sharp increase in cultivation is
expected. Whilst in 2005 there was a steep decrease in cultivation (by 58 per cent in Uruzgan and
53 per cent in Badakhshan) compared to 2004, most villagers have now resumed opium poppy
cultivation in the majority of districts in those provinces. In Nangarhar province, in districts close to
the centre — where the provincial police have strong control — villagers have avoided opium
poppy cultivation, whereas in remote districts most farmers are cultivating opium poppy at much
higher levels than in 2005.
An expected decrease in opium poppy cultivation is reported in only three provinces where opium
poppy cultivation is neither traditional nor intensive (Nuristan, Sari Pul and Samangan). In 16
provinces, the same level of cultivation as in 2005 is expected in 2006.
Both the 2005 Annual Opium Survey and the 2006 Opium Rapid Assessment Survey confirm that
opium poppy grows more successfully in villages at elevations below 1500m than in those at
higher elevations. Cultivation at elevations above 2500m is very limited due to poor weather
conditions.
Opium poppy may still be planted in upland areas of the northern and central provinces until mid-
March, particularly in rain-fed areas, potentially leading to a further increase in opium poppy
cultivation in Afghanistan as a result of good snow coverage and water availability.
Eradication
The Opium Rapid Assessment Survey did not assess the implementation of the eradication
campaign, but collected general information on eradication activities in those districts visited.
Limited eradication was reported in the Balkh, Kandahar, Sari Pul, Samangan and Laghman
provinces by the beginning of January 2006.
7
Eradication activities will be implemented largely from mid-January 2006 by Governors in

Afghanistan, following which the Afghan Eradication Forces (AEF), the Afghan National Police
(ANP) and Governors will carry out eradication jointly in opium poppy-growing provinces. The
Ministry of Counter-Narcotics and UNODC will jointly verify eradication activities carried out in
2006.
Reasons for opium poppy cultivation
Respondents reported the following reasons for opium poppy cultivation (Table 1):
Table 1: Reasons for opium poppy cultivation in 2006
Number of
Reasons for cultivation observations Percentage
Poverty alleviation (provision of basic food and shelter) 225 37.2%
High sale price of opium 178 29.4%
No aid received from Government or other sources 122 20.2%
Purchase of luxury items (e.g. vehicle, television, etc.) 40 6.6%
Greater profit in relation to area of land cultivated 18 3.0%
External pressure (e.g. from traders or local commanders) 13 2.1%
Lack of water during summer 3 0.5%
High price of food 2 0.3%
Low prices for wheat and cotton 2 0.3%
Demand among addicts 1 0.2%
Lack of land 1 0.2%
Total 605 100.0%
Opium poppy farmers earn up to 10 times more per hectare cultivated than cereal farmers, which
makes opium poppy cultivation an attractive option for farmers (see Afghanistan Opium Survey
2005 (UNODC)). Some 20 per cent of those farmers interviewed complain of lack of aid or
assistance. Interestingly, 6.6 per cent gave “purchase of luxury items” such as televisions,
vehicles, refrigerators, etc., as their reason for growing opium poppy.
Unemployment is a persistent problem in Afghanistan. The ORAS reports that some 23 per cent of
the male population (age 15 and above) in the survey sample are unemployed. The rural
population expects more employment opportunities from the government – an expectation that is
often not fulfilled.
In villages visited in the Badakhshan, Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul and Nimroz provinces,
farmers reported that they had received advance payments from drug traffickers to grow opium
poppy.
Groups such as drug smugglers are encouraging villagers to grow opium poppy, particularly in
Helmand province. They give villagers guarantees for the protection of land on which opium poppy
is cultivated, and in some areas use threats and intimidation to force those farmers that have not
yet cultivated opium poppy to do so.
Prices
In addition to the monthly collection of price information for key provinces, the ORAS 2006
collected price information in all 469 villages surveyed. The average farm-gate price of dry opium is
US$144 per kilogramme, whilst fresh opium costs US$113 per kilogramme (prices as at time of
survey). An overview of dry opium prices by province shows that prices are higher in southern,
western and eastern provinces, whilst generally lower in the northern provinces.
8
Graph 1: Average farm-gate prices for dry opium (US$/kg)
250
222
200 180 187

170 161 167171161
154 147139 152145150
150 124 136 137
US$/kg
123
107
100
50
0
Ju n-0 4
Ju l-04
Ja n-0 5
Ju n-0 5
Ju l-05
Oc t-0 4
No v-04
Ma r-0 5
Ap r-05
Ma y-0 5
Oc t-0 5
No v-05
Au g-04
Se p-04
De c-04
Feb-0 5
Au g-05
Se p-05
De c-05
Source: UNODC Monthly Opium Price Report for Afghanistan, December 2005
High prices are found inter alia in Nangarhar and Nimroz. In Nangarhar, where law enforcement is
strong, the price of dry opium per kilogramme is US$207. In Nimroz, a border province that is used
as a major trafficking route to Iran and Pakistan, prices reach US$205 per kilogramme. Map 6
illustrates these regional price differences for dry opium.
Farmers in Afghanistan usually cultivate crops twice a year in irrigated areas, typically growing
maize, rice, vegetables or cotton following the opium poppy or wheat harvest. Some grow cannabis
following the first harvest during the summer. ORAS results indicate that farmers earn a net per
hectare income of US$540 from cotton, US$665 from vegetables and US$1,650 from maize. A
wheat farmer can earn a net income of US$450 per hectare. None of Afghanistan’s agricultural
products can currently match per hectare income from opium poppy, which is estimated at
US$4000.
External assistance
Of the 469 villages visited, 429 received external assistance (91 per cent). A total of 927
assistance activities were reported in those 429 villages. The distribution of external assistance is
presented in Table 2:
9
Table 2: Distribution of external assistance activities 2005
Provincial
NGOs Reconstructio
(Including n Team RED Total as
Assistance received GOVERNMENT USAID) (PRT) CROSS UN USAID WHO Total percentage
Medical (including vaccinations) 165 86 3 1 130 1 12 398 42.8%
Agricultural inputs (including fertilizers) 98 46 5 8 7 167 18.0%
Education/school 48 54 2 36 8 148 15.9%
Construction (roads/other) 32 70 5 16 5 128 13.8%
Cash for labour 11 35 5 5 1 57 6.1%
Electricity 6 4 1 11 1.2%
Drinking water 5 5 0.5%
Food 1 1 3 5 0.5%
Dam construction 2 1 1 4 0.4%
Cash as credits 2 2 0.2%
Carpet-weaving machines 1 1 0.1%
Digging of deep wells 1 1 0.1%
Household appliances 1 1 0.1%
Tents 1 1 0.1%
Wheat as payment for labour 1 1 0.1%
Total 362 307 21 3 200 22 12 930 100.0%
In those villages visited, 21 per cent of assistance activities were provided by the United Nations.
External assistance provided between January 2005 and January 2006 was largely non-
agricultural. In 2004, agricultural assistance activities accounted for 11 per cent of the total
assistance provided, as compared to 18 per cent in 2005.
Field security
Security was good in most provinces during the Opium Rapid Assessment Survey. However, it was
a concern in most areas of Kandahar, Zabul, Farah, the border districts of Nangarhar, Paktya,
Paktika and Khost and northern and southern areas of Helmand. This situation may worsen as the
opium poppy flowering or harvesting period approaches, since most of these areas report that
villagers and certain groups are prepared to resist eradication.
10
Afghanistan: Expected opium poppy cultivation trends in 2006 (by province -at the time of the Survey, 10th December 2005 - 4th January 2006)
UZBEKISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
Fayz Abad
#
1748
7370
275
10837
TURKMENIS TAN Mazar-E-Sharif
#
Kunduz Takh ar
Jawzjan Balkh Badakshan
1364
2665
3227 Sam angan
Fary ab 3874 Baghlan
Sari Pu l 2563
2967
0 1554 Nuristan
1059
Parwan Kapisa
Badghis 115
274 Kunar
Bamy an
126 0 Lagh man
# Kabul
#
Herat Wardak 1093
#
Jalalabad
106
Ghor Loga r Nangarha r Peshwar
1924 #
2689 0
4605 0 Pakt ya
0
Uruzgan Khost
0
Ghazni
10240
Fara h 0 Legend
# Zabu l Pakt ika
# Main Cities
2053
Province Boundaries
# International Boundaries
Kandahar
26500
12989
IRAN 1690 2005 Cultivation level (ha)
Nimroz Helm and PAKISTAN

Cultivation trend as compared to 2005
Quetta
# Decrease (-50% < and < -10%)
¯ 0 50 100
Kilometers
Geographic Projection
Datum: WGS 84
No Change (-10% < and < 10%)
Increase (10% < and < 50% )
Strong Increase (> 50%)
Source: MCN - UNODC Afghanistan Rapid Assesment Survey 2006 (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring.html)

Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Afghanistan: Expected opium poppy cultivation trends in 2006 (by province- At the time of the Survey, 10th December 2005 -4th January 2006)
Legend
# Main Cities
Province Boundaries UZBEKISTAN Darwaz
International Boundaries TURKMENIS TAN Khwahan TAJIKISTAN

Ragh Shighnan
Cultivation trend as compared to 2005 Darqad Chah Ab
Khamyab Shahri Buzur
Decrease (-50% < and < -10%) Qarqin Shortepa Yangi Qala Fayz Abad
Khani Chahar
Mingajik Dawlat AbadNahri Shahi
Kaldar Imam Sahib Khwaja GharRustaq Fayz Abad #
No Change (-10% < and < 10%) Andkhoy
Khwaja Du Ko Mardyan Qalay-I- ZalKunduz Archi
Baharak
Wakhan
Increase (10% < and < 50% ) Qaramqol Aqcha Balkh Mazar-E-Sharif
Fayz Abad # Kunduz Takh ar Kalafgan Ishkashim
Strong Increase (> 50%) Dawlat Abad

Jawzjan Balkh
Khulm
Chahar Dara Bangi Taluqan Badakshan
Kishim
Chimtal
Shibirghan
Chahar Kint Baghlani Jad
Ali Abad Chal Farkhar Jurm
Sari Pul Sholgara Ishkamish
Shirin Tagab Aybak Baghlan Burka Zebak
DarzabSayyad Sozma Qala Khuram Wa Sabagh Warsaj
Almar Khwaja Sabz Maymana
Sangcharak
Kishindih Sam angan Puli Khumri Nahrin Khost Wa Firing
Kuran Wa Munjan
Ghormach Fary ab Bilchiragh
Dara-I- Suf Baghlan Bargi Matal
Murghab
Qaysar Pashtun Kot Sari Pu l Balkhab
Ruyi Du Ab Dushi
Andarab
Hisa-I-Awali Wama Kamdesh
Khinjan
Muqur
Kohistan Kohistanat
Kahmard
Tala Wa Barfak Salang Panjsher Nuristan
Mandol Nari
Jawand Ghorband Nijrab Waygal Bar Kunar
Gulran Qadis
Kushk Ab Kamari
Yakawlang Shibar Parwan Kapisa Nuristan Pech Asad Abad
Qalay-I- Naw Badghis Bamyan Shekh Ali BagramKohi Safi Tagab Kunar Alingar
Dangam
Kushki Kuhna Bamy an Surkhi Parsa
Kohsan
Chaghcharan Hisa-I- Awali Bihsud JalrezNirkh
Dih SabzSurobi Lagh man Nurgal Sirkanay
Karukh Lal Wa Sarja #
Kabul Goshta
Zinda Jan Injil
#
Hirat
Hirat Chishti Shar Panjab
Markazi Bihs
Wardak Bagrami Qarghayi #
RodatJalalabad
Obe Hisarak Lal Pur
Ghoryan GuzaraPashtun Zarghun Shahrak Ghor Waras
Day Mirdad
Chaki WardakLoga r Nangarha r
Azra
Dur Baba Peshwar
Day Kundi
Jaji Khogyani Dih Bala Achin #
Tulak Sayd AbadPuli Alam
Farsi Nawur Jaghatu Chamkani
Adraskan Shahristan Charkh
Ghazni
Pakt ya
Gardez
Sabari
Pasaband Bahrami Shah BakJaji Maydan
Dih Yak Zurmat Shwak
Saghar Taywara
Kijran
Uruzgan Ajristan
Malistan Khost
Jadran Tere Zayi
Gizab Qarabagh Andar Mata Khan
Shindand Pur Chaman Jaghuri Sharan Ziruk SperaTani Gurbuz
Baghran Shahidi Hass ChoraKhas Uruzgan Ghazni Giro
Sar HawzaUrgunGayan
Anar Dara MuqurAb Band Omna
Sarobi Hisa-I-Awali Kamdesh
Khaki Safed Bala Buluk Tirin Kot Daychopan Gelan Zarghun Shah Barmal Eastern
Panjsher Afghanistan
Dihrawud Arghandab Mandol Wama Nari
Gulistan Musa Qala Hisa-I-Duwum Waygal Bar Kunar
Pusht Rod
#
Fara h Naw Zad Nesh Shahjoy Dila
Pakt ika
NURISTAN
Qalay-I-Kah Kajaki Zabu l Kohistan Koh BandPARWAN
Farah Bakwa Nawa Nijrab
Qalat Gomal Dawlat Shah Nuristan Asad Abad
Shib Koh Washer Shah Wali Ko Mizan Waza Khwa Mahmud Raqi Dangam
SanginGhorak
Khakrez Bagram Alasay Chapa Dara Pech
Tarnak Wa Ja Shinkay Shamulzayi Wor Mamay
Lash Wa Juwa
Nahri Sarraj Arghandab Atghar Kohi Safi Tagab
KUNAR Marawara
Khash Rod Alishing Alingar Narang
Nad Ali Maywand Kandahar # Daman Arghistan KAPISA LAGHMAN Chawkay Sirkanay
Dara-I-Nur
Kang
Lashkar Gah
Naway i Barakzayi Kandarhar Maruf Dih Sabz Mihtarlam Nurgal
Khas Kunar
KABUL Surobi Kuz Kunar
Chakhansur Panjwayi # Bagrami Qarghayi
Goshta
IRAN Zaranj
Reg
Spin Boldak Jalal AbadKama
Surkh Rod #
Khaki Jabbar
Lal Pur
Nimroz Hilm and PAKISTAN Hisarak Chaparhar
Rodat
Bati Kot
Sherzad
ShinwarMuhmand Dara
Azra Khogyani
Garmser Nazyan
LOGAR Pachir Wa Agam
Chahar Burja Shorabak Dih Bala Achin Dur Baba
Reg Quetta NANGARHAR #
# Khushi Jaji
Dishu
Puli Alam Dand Wa Pata
¯
Lija Mangal Chamkani
0 50 100 Sayid Karam
Kilometers KHOST
PAKTYA Jani Khel Jaji Maydan
Geographic Projection Musa KhelSabari Bak
Gardez
Datum: WGS 84
Afghanistan: Opium poppy planting calendar in 2006
UZBEKISTAN Darwaz
Khwahan TAJIKISTAN
TURKMENIS TAN Shighnan
Ragh
Darqad Chah Ab
Khamyab Qarqin Shahri Buzur
Shortepa Yangi Qala Fayz Abad
Khani Chahar
MingajikMardyan Dawlat Abad
Kaldar Imam Sahib Khwaja Ghar Rustaq #
Fayz Abad Baharak Wakhan
Andkhoy
Khwaja Du Ko Nahri Shahi Qalay-I- ZalKunduz Archi
Qaramqol
Aqcha Chahar BolakBalkh Mazar-E-Sharif
Fayz Abad Marmul#
Kunduz Takh ar Ishkashim
Dawlat Abad
Jawzjan Chimtal
Khulm Kalafgan
Balkh Hazrati Sultan Chahar DaraAli Abad Bangi TaluqanFarkhar Kishim Badakshan
Shibirghan Chal
Chahar Kint Ishkamish Jurm
Baghlani Jad Zebak
Sari Pul Sholgara Aybak
Shirin Tagab Burka
Darzab Sozma Qala Baghlan Warsaj
Sayyad Khuram Wa Sabagh
Nahrin Khost Wa Firing
Legend
Almar
Khwaja SabzMaymana
Sangcharak
Kishindih Sam angan Puli Khumri
Kuran Wa Munjan # Main Cities
Ghormach Fary ab Bilchiragh Dara-I- Suf Dahana-I- Ghori
Baghlan Bargi Matal
Qaysar
Pashtun Kot Sari Pu l Balkhab
Ruyi Du Ab Dushi
Andarab Hisa-I-Awali
Wama Kamdesh
Province Boundaries
Murghab Khinjan
Kohistanat
Planting Dates
Muqur
Kohistan
Kahmard Tala Wa Barfak Salang Panjsher
Mandol
Nuristan
Nari
Ghorband Shinwari Nijrab Hisa-I-Duwum Waygal Bar Kunar
Gulran
Parwan Kapisa
Ab Kamari Qadis Jawand Nuristan Asad Abad
Kushk Shibar Shekh Ali Pech
Yakawlang September
Qalay-I- Naw Badghis Bamyan
Surkhi Parsa Istalif
Dawlat Shah
BagramKohi SafiTagab Alishing Alingar Kunar Dangam
Marawara
Kushki Kuhna Bamy an October
Kohsan Chaghcharan Lal Wa Sarja Hisa-I- Awali Bihsud Jalrez
Shakardara Dih SabzSurobi Lagh man
Nurgal
Khas Kunar
Injil Karukh NirkhPaghman # Kabul Goshta November
Zinda Jan
#
Hirat
Hirat Obe Chishti Shar
Panjab
Markazi Bihs Wardak
Bagrami Qarghayi
#
Jalalabad
Muhammad Agh Hisarak Sherzad Rodat December
Lal Pur
Ghoryan
Guzara
Pashtun Zarghun
Shahrak Ghor Waras Day Mirdad
Chaki Wardak Loga r
Azra Nangarha r
Dur Baba
Peshwar March
Tulak Day Kundi
Puli Alam Khushi Jaji Khogyani Dih BalaAchin #
Farsi Sayd Abad
Shahristan Jaghatu
Sayid Karam Lija MangalDand Wa Pata October/March
Adraskan Nawur
Pasaband Zana Khan
Ghazni
Charkh
Gardez
Pakt ya
Jani Khel
SabariJaji Maydan October/February
Saghar Bahrami Shah Bak
Taywara
Kijran Uruzgan Gizab
Ajristan
Malistan
Dih Yak Zurmat
Shwak
Jadran Khost Tere Zayi November/March
Shindand Qarabagh Andar Mata Khan Khost(Matun)
Pur Chaman Jaghuri Nika ZirukSpera Tani Gurbuz International Boundaries
Anar Dara Baghran Shahidi Hass Chora
Khas Uruzgan GhazniGiro Sharan Sar Hawza
Urgun Gayan
MuqurAb Band Omna
Bala Buluk
Khaki Safed
Daychopan Gelan Zarghun Shah Sarobi PARWAN
Eastern Afghanistan
Gulistan Dihrawud Tirin Kot Arghandab Barmal
Dila Gomal NURISTAN
Pusht Rod
#
Fara h Musa Qala
Naw Zad Kajaki Shahjoy
Pakt ika
Qalay-I-Kah
Farah Bakwa
Nesh
Zabu l Nawa
Shib Koh Washer Shah Wali Ko Mizan Qalat
Waza Khwa
Sangin Ghorak Khakrez KAPISA
Tarnak Wa Ja Shinkay Shamulzayi Wor Mamay KUNAR
Nahri Sarraj Arghandab
Lash Wa Juwa Khash Rod Atghar
Maywand #
Kandahar Arghistan
LAGHMAN
Nad Ali
Lashkar Gah
Naway i Barakzayi Kandarhar Maruf
Kang
Chakhansur Panjwayi # KABUL
IRAN Zaranj
Reg
Daman
Spin Boldak
#
Nimroz Hilm and PAKISTAN NANGARHAR

Garmser
Chahar Burja Shorabak
Quetta LOGAR
Reg
# #
¯
Dishu
0 50 100
Kilometers PAKTYA
Datum: WGS 84
KHOST
Source:MCN - UNODC Afghanistan Rapid Assessment Survey 2006 (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring.html)
Afghanistan: Expected opium poppy flowering time in 2006
UZBEKISTAN
TAJ IKIS TAN
Ragh
Chah
Darqad
Ab Shahri Buzur
Qarqin Shortepa
Yangi Fayz Abad
Khani
Chahar Mingajik Mardyan Kaldar Imam Sahib Qala
Rustaq !
TURKMENIS TAN Andkhoy Khwaja
Du Ko
Dawlat Abad
Chahar Balkh Balkh

Nahri Shahi Qalay-I- Zal
Kunduz
Archi Khwaja Ghar
Baharak
Qaramqol Takhar
!Mazar-E-Sharif
Bolak Ishkashim
Taluqan Kalafgan
Aqcha Fayz Khan
Dawlat Abad Shibirghan Dihdadi Khulm
Marmul Chahar Dara Abad Kishim Badakshan
Jawzjan
Abad
Chimtal
Hazrati Sultan Ali Abad
Bangi
Chal Farkhar
Legend
Chahar Kint Baghlani Jad Ishkamish Jurm
Faryab Sari Pul Sholgara
Burka
! Main Cities
Shirin Tagab Aybak
Sozma Baghlan
Darzab Sayyad
Qala
Warsaj Province Boundaries
Khwaja Puli
Khuram Nahrin
Almar Sabz Kishindih Wa Sabagh Khumri
Maymana Dara-I- Suf Kuran Wa Munjan
Sangcharak Dahana
-I- Ghori
International Boundaries
Pashtun Bilchiragh Samangan Baghlan Andarab
Bargi Matal
Qaysar Kot
Sari Pul Ruyi Du Ab Dushi
Balkhab Khinjan Kamdesh
Kohistanat
Badghis Kohistan
Tala Wa Barfak Salang
Panjsher Nuristan Flowering Calendar
Mandol
Kahmard Shinwari
Gulran Jabalussaraj
Ghorband
Kushk Chaharikar
Yakawlang Shibar Parwan Bagram Kapisa Kunar
Qalay-I- Naw
Qadis Shekh Ali
Guldara Late March
Kushki Kuhna
Jawand Bamyan Bamyan Laghman
Kohsan Chaghcharan
Lal Wa Sarja Kabul Early April
Panjab !
Injil Karukh Maydan Surobi
Zinda Hirat Chishti Shar Shahir ! Late April
Jan ! Obe Nirkh Jalalabad
Waras
Muhammad
Pashtun
Zarghun Wardak Agh Azra
Early May
Ghoryan Shahrak Chaki Wardak
Guzara
Ghor Logar Nangarhar !
Tulak
Sayd Baraki Barak
Jaji Late May
Farsi Uruzgan Abad Lija Mangal Dand
Wa Pata Peshwar
Adraskan
Shahristan Chakmani
Jaji
Early June
Pasaband Zana Khan Jani Khel Maydan
Saghar Ajristan Musa Khel Late June
Taywara Paktya Qalandar
Nadir Shah K
Gizab
Kijran
Mando Zayi Khost Early July
Shindand Ghazni Gurbuz
Tani
Pur Chaman
Anar Dara Baghran Shahidi Hass
Bala Buluk Chora
Andarab
Kamdesh
Khaki Safed Gulistan Dihrawud
Tirin Kot
Daychopan
Arghandab
Eastern Hisa-I-Awali
Afghanistan Panjsher
Musa Qala Wama
Pusht Rod
! Naw Zad
Kajaki Nesh Zabul Shahjoy
Paktika Nari
Qalay-I-Kah Salang Panjsher Mandol Bar Kunar
Farah Bakwa Waygal
Qalat
Shib Koh
Washer
Sangin
Ghorak Shah Wali Ko
Mizan
Koh Band
Nuristan
Khakrez
Tarnak Wa Ja
Shamulzayi
Kohistan
Chaharikar
Nijrab
Nuristan
Kunar
Nahri Sarraj Dawlat Shah
Lash Wa Juwa Khash Rod Arghandab Arghistan Kapisa Chapa Pech
Asad Abad Dangam
Nad Ali
Maywand ! Kandarhar Bagram Alasay Dara
Lashkar
Gah Alishing Alingar Marawara
Maruf
Naway i Barakzayi Tagab Narang
Laghman Sirkanay
Chawkay
Hilmand Panjwayi Dara-I-Nur Nurgal
IRAN Nimroz Spin Boldak Mihtarlam
Khas Kunar
Reg
Daman Kuz Kunar
PAKISTAN Kabul
Surobi Qarghayi
Jalal
Kama
Goshta
Abad
Surkh Rod
Garmser
Lal Pur
Hisarak Chaparhar Bati Kot
Shorabak
Reg Sherzad Rodat
Chahar Burja Quetta Muhammad Shinwar Muhmand Dara
! Khogyani
Agha
¯
Azra Pachir Wa Agam
0 50 100 Logar Nazyan
Dur Baba
Achin
Kilometers Dih Bala
Jaji
Geographic Projection Lija Mangal
Datum: WGS 84 Paktya Chamkani
Dand Wa Patan Nangarhar
Jaji Maydan
Afghanistan: Expected opium poppy harvest time in 2006
UZBEKISTAN
TAJ IKIS TAN
Ragh
Chah
Darqad
Ab Shahri Buzur
Qarqin Shortepa
Yangi Fayz Abad
Khani
Chahar Mingajik Mardyan Kaldar Imam Sahib Qala Rustaq !
TURKMENIS TAN Andkhoy Khwaja
Du Ko
Dawlat Abad
Chahar Balkh Balkh

Nahri Shahi Qalay-I- Zal
Kunduz
Archi Khwaja Ghar
Baharak
Qaramqol Takhar
!Mazar-E-Sharif
Bolak Ishkashim
Taluqan Kalafgan
Aqcha Fayz Khan
Dawlat Abad Shibirghan
Abad
Dihdadi Khulm
Marmul Chahar Dara Abad Kishim Badakshan
Chimtal Bangi
Jawzjan Hazrati Sultan Ali Abad Chal Farkhar
Chahar Kint Baghlani Jad Ishkamish Jurm
Faryab Sari Pul Sholgara Legend
Shirin Tagab Aybak Burka
Sozma Baghlan
Darzab
Khwaja
Sayyad
Qala
Khuram Puli
Warsaj
! Main Cities
Almar Sabz Khumri Nahrin
Maymana Kishindih Dara-I- Suf Wa Sabagh
Sangcharak Kuran Wa Munjan
Dahana Province Boundaries
-I- Ghori
Pashtun Bilchiragh Samangan Baghlan Andarab
Bargi Matal
Qaysar Kot
Sari Pul Ruyi Du Ab Dushi International Boundaries
Balkhab Khinjan Kamdesh
Kohistanat
Badghis Kohistan
Tala Wa Barfak Salang
Panjsher Nuristan
Kahmard Shinwari
Mandol District Boundaries
Gulran Jabalussaraj
Ghorband
Kushk Chaharikar Harvest Calendar
Yakawlang Shibar Parwan Bagram Kapisa Kunar
Qalay-I- Naw Qadis Shekh Ali
Guldara No Data
Kushki Kuhna
Jawand Bamyan Bamyan Laghman
Kohsan Chaghcharan Lal Wa Sarja Kabul Early April
Panjab !
Injil Karukh Maydan Surobi
Zinda Hirat Chishti Shar Shahir ! Late April
Jan ! Obe Nirkh Jalalabad
Waras
Pashtun Muhammad
Zarghun Wardak Agh Azra
Early May
Ghoryan Shahrak Chaki Wardak
Guzara
Tulak Ghor Logar Jaji
Nangarhar ! Late May
Sayd Baraki Barak
Farsi Uruzgan Abad Lija Mangal Dand
Wa Pata Peshwar
Adraskan
Shahristan Chakmani Early June
Jaji
Pasaband Zana Khan Jani Khel Maydan
Saghar Ajristan Musa Khel Late June
Taywara Paktya Qalandar
Nadir Shah K
Kijran Gizab
Mando Zayi Khost Early July
Shindand Ghazni Gurbuz
Tani Late July
Pur Chaman
Anar Dara Baghran Shahidi Hass
Bala Buluk Chora
Andarab
Kamdesh
Khaki Safed Gulistan Dihrawud Tirin Kot
Daychopan
Arghandab
Eastern Hisa-I-Awali
Afghanistan Panjsher
Musa Qala Wama
Pusht Rod
! Naw Zad
Kajaki Nesh Zabul Shahjoy
Paktika Nari
Qalay-I-Kah Salang Panjsher Mandol Bar Kunar
Farah Bakwa Waygal
Qalat
Shib Koh Washer
Sangin
Ghorak Shah Wali Ko
Mizan
Koh Band
Nuristan
Khakrez
Tarnak Wa Ja
Shamulzayi
Kohistan
Chaharikar
Nijrab
Nuristan
Kunar
Nahri Sarraj Dawlat Shah
Lash Wa Juwa Khash Rod Arghandab Arghistan Kapisa Chapa Pech
Asad Abad Dangam
Nad Ali Maywand ! Kandarhar Bagram Alasay Dara

Lashkar
Gah Alishing Alingar Marawara
Maruf
Naway i Barakzayi Tagab Narang
Laghman Sirkanay
Chawkay
Hilmand Panjwayi Dara-I-Nur Nurgal
IRAN Nimroz Spin Boldak Mihtarlam
Khas Kunar
Reg
Daman Kuz Kunar
PAKISTAN Kabul
Surobi Qarghayi
Jalal
Kama
Goshta
Abad
Surkh Rod
Garmser
Lal Pur
Hisarak Chaparhar Bati Kot
Shorabak
Reg Sherzad Rodat
Chahar Burja Quetta Muhammad Shinwar Muhmand Dara
! Khogyani
Agha
¯
Azra Pachir Wa Agam
0 50 100 Logar Nazyan
Dur Baba
Achin
Kilometers Dih Bala
Jaji
Geographic Projection Lija Mangal
Datum: WGS 84 Paktya Chamkani
Dand Wa Patan Nangarhar
Jaji Maydan
Afghanistan: Dry opium prices (USD)
UZBEKISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
Fayz Abad
#
TURKMENIS TAN Mazar-E-Sharif
#
Kunduz Takh ar
Jawzjan Balkh Badakshan
Sam angan
Fary ab Baghlan
Sari Pu l
Nuristan
Parwan Kapisa
Badghis Kunar
Bamy an
Lagh man
# Kabul
#
Hirat Wardak #
Jalalabad
Ghor Loga r Nangarha r Peshwar
#
Pakt ya
Uruzgan Khost
Ghazni
#
Fara h Pakt ika
Zabu l Legend
# Main Cities
Province Boundaries
#
Kandarhar International Boundaries
Dry Opium Price
IRAN
(USD/kg)
Nimroz Hilm and PAKISTAN No data
88 - 106
Quetta
# 107 - 156
¯ 0 50 100
Kilometers
Datum: WGS 84
157 - 190
191 - 207

Afghanistan: ORAS 2006 Sampling frame and selected villages
UZBEKISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
TURKMENIS TAN Jawzjan

Takhar
Kunduz
Balkh
Badakshan
Samangan
Faryab
Sari Pul Baghlan
Nuristan
Badg his Kapisa
Parwan Kunar
Bamyan
Kabul
Laghman
Hirat
Wardak Logar Nangarhar
Ghor
Paktya
Uruzgan Khost
Ghazni
Farah
Zabul Paktika
Legend
IRAN Hilmand Kandarhar
Province Boundaries
Nimroz
PAKISTAN International Boundaries
2006 Village Sampling Frame

Villages
¯
<= 1500 m
0 50 100 >1500 m and <= 2500 m

Kilometers >2500 m
2006 RAS selected villages
Datum: WGS 84
Source:MCN - UNODC Afghanistan Rapid Assessment Survey 2006 (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring.html)

NORTH-EASTERN ZONE
BADAKHSHAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Interviews with village headmen indicated that cultivation levels in 2006 may increase sharply. In
2005, fear of eradication led to an increase in opium poppy cultivation in rain-fed and remote
areas. In 2006, a sharp increase is expected in both rain-fed and irrigated areas. The main opium -
growing areas in Badakhshan are the Faizabad, Jurm, Kishm and Baharak districts.
Eradication
Farmers are aware of the threat of eradication and the Government ban and are closely following
eradication activities in southern Afghanistan to assess the degree of risk that they may incur by
cultivating opium poppy.
Opium poppy cultivation details:

Cultivation in 2005 (hectares) 7 369
Type of cultivation Irrigated and rain-fed
Projected trends in 2005-2006 Strong increase
Cultivation levels Very high
Eradication reported None
Planting time Autumn/spring
Expected main harvest time End of June
Security situation Good
Dry opium price (US$/kg) 132
The total number of villages in Badakhshan province is 1,822. The ORAS collected information in
34 villages.
TAKHAR PROVINCE
Cultivation
Respondents reported either no change or a slight increase in opium poppy cultivation in all
districts in 2006. Takhar lies on a major trafficking route to Tajikistan (via the Chah Ab, Yangi Qala,
Darqad and Rustaq districts).
18

Projected trends in 2005-2006 No change/slight increase
Cultivation levels Low
Expected main harvest time Mid-June
The total number of villages in Takhar province is 672. The ORAS collected information in 11
villages.
19
EASTERN ZONE
NANGARHAR PROVINCE
Cultivation
An increase in cultivation was reported in Nangarhar province. Whilst farmers in central Nangarhar
follow the eradication campaign and observe the Government ban, farmers in remote districts
disregard the ban and are already cultivating opium poppy on a significant scale.
Eradication
No eradication was reported until the end of December 2005.
Opium Poppy cultivation details:

Type of cultivation Irrigated
Cultivation levels Moderate
Eradication reported No
Planting time Autumn
Expected main harvest time Mid-April
The total number of villages in Nangarhar province is 972. The ORAS collected information in 27
villages.
KUNAR PROVINCE
Cultivation
Respondents reported the same level of cultivation in 2006 as in 2005. A slight increase is
expected in remote areas of the province.

Projected trends in 2005-2006 No change
Eradication reported Limited
The total number of villages in Kunar province is 457. The ORAS collected information in 13
villages.
20
Photo : Opium poppy fields in Kunar (date: 21/12/2005)
LAGHMAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Opium poppy cultivation in Laghman province decreased sharply in 2005 but is expected to
increase in 2006, particularly in remote districts such as Alingar and Dawlat Shah.

Cultivation in 2005 (hectares) 274
Projected trends in 2005-2006 Increase
Expected main harvest time Beginning of April
The total number of villages in Laghman province is 464. The ORAS collected information in 11
villages.
21
NURISTAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
A decrease in cultivation is expected in 2006, following a sharp increase in 2005. Nuristan is

located high in the mountains, and most planting will begin in mid-March, by which time villagers
may have opted to cultivate alternative crops. Opium poppy cultivation may match levels reported
in 2005.

Projected trends in 2005-2006 Decrease
Expected main harvest time Beginning of April
The total number of villages in Nuristan province is 170. The ORAS collected information in eight
villages.
22
NORTHERN ZONE
BAGHLAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Cultivation in Baghlan province increased considerably in 2005 (as compared to 2004), and the
same level of cultivation as in 2005 is expected in 2006. Opium poppy cultivation is reported in all
districts of Baghlan, but particularly in the Andarab and Khost Wa Firing districts. An overall
increase is expected.

Type of cultivation Irrigated/rain-fed
Expected main harvest time End of May to mid-June
The total number of villages in Baghlan province is 902. The ORAS collected information in 15
villages.
BALKH PROVINCE
Cultivation
In 2005, opium poppy cultivation increased sharply in Balkh province with respect to levels in 2004
(by 334 per cent). Like other provinces in northern Afghanistan, Balkh is becoming a major opium
poppy-growing province. According to ORAS results, cultivation could remain at the same high
levels or decrease slightly in 2006. Mazar-i-Sherif, Chimtal, Sholgara and Char Bolak are the main
opium poppy-growing districts in this province.
Eradication
Surveyors did not report any eradication at the time of the survey, but at the beginning of January
2005 some eradication activities were reported to the Government by local authorities in Balkh
province.
23

Projected trends in 2005-2006 No change/slight decrease
Cultivation levels High
Expected main harvest time End of April
The total number of villages in Balkh province is 772. The ORAS collected information in 14
villages.
Photo : Opium poppy in Balkh province (date: 17/12/2005)
Photo: Greenhouse construction in Balkh (date: 18/12/2005)
24
BAMYAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
The majority of farmers in Bamyan province prefer not to cultivate opium poppy. No increase in
opium poppy cultivation is expected in 2006.

Projected trends in 2005-2006 Decrease/no change
Planting time Spring
Expected main harvest time Late July
The total number of villages in Bamyan province is 1,543. The ORAS collected information in 12
villages.
FARYAB PROVINCE
Cultivation
Following a reported decrease in 2005, opium poppy cultivation is expected to increase in 2006.

Expected main harvest time Mid-May
The total number of villages in Faryab province is 635. The ORAS collected information in 11
villages.
25
KUNDUZ PROVINCE
Cultivation
Kunduz province is neither a major nor a traditional opium poppy-growing region. In 2005, only 275
hectares of opium poppy were reported. The same level of cultivation is expected in 2006.

Cultivation levels Very low
Dry opium price (US$/kg) N/A
The total number of villages in Kunduz province is 377. The ORAS collected information in six
villages.
JAWZJAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Jawzjan province was not a significant opium poppy-growing area until 2002. Since 2002,
however, opium poppy cultivation has increased sharply. In 2006, a further increase is expected.

Expected main harvest time Late May
The total number of villages in Jawzjan province is 256. The ORAS collected information in nine
villages.
26
SAMANGAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Key respondents reported that they were expecting a decrease in opium poppy cultivation in 2006.
Since planting takes place mainly during March, farmers may yet decide to cultivate opium poppy,
depending on the success of eradication in the southern provinces or in provinces at low
elevations, such as Balkh.

Expected main harvest time End of July
The total number of villages in Samangan province is 495. The ORAS collected information in eight
villages.
SARI PUL PROVINCE
Cultivation
Opium poppy cultivation is expected to decrease in Sari Pul province in 2006. Since, depending on
weather conditions, some farmers prefer to plant opium poppy in March, the situation may still
change after that time.

Expected main harvest time Late June
The total number of villages in Sari Pul province is 558. The ORAS collected information in 12
villages.
27
CENTRAL ZONE
GHAZNI PROVINCE
Cultivation
Opium poppy cultivation has always been negligible in Ghazni province, and that trend is expected
to continue in 2006.

Projected trends in 2005-2006 Decrease/no change
Cultivation levels Negligible
Expected main harvest time Late July
The total number of villages in Ghazni province is 2,645. The ORAS collected information in 15
villages.
KHOST PROVINCE
Cultivation
In 2005, opium poppy cultivation was negligible. In 2006, however, an increase is expected.

Cultivation in 2005 (hectares) Negligible
Expected main harvest time Late May
The total number of villages in Khost province is 519. The ORAS collected information in 10
villages.
28
LOGAR PROVINCE
Cultivation
The vast majority of villagers in Logar province do not cultivate opium poppy. The same situation is
expected in 2006.

Planting time Spring/autumn
Expected main harvest time May/June
The total number of villages in Logar province is 394. The ORAS collected information in six
villages.
PAKTIKA PROVINCE
Cultivation
Opium poppy cultivation in Paktika province has always been negligible, and the same trend is
expected in 2006.

Expected main harvest time June
The total number of villages in Paktika province is 553. The ORAS collected information in 12
villages.
29
PAKTYA PROVINCE
Cultivation
Opium poppy cultivation in Paktya province has always been negligible, and the same trend is
expected in 2006.

Expected main harvest time June
The total number of villages in Paktya province is 707. The ORAS collected information in 12
villages.
PARWAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Opium poppy cultivation was reported for the first time in the province in 2004, and was estimated
at 1,310 ha. Cultivation returned to a negligible level in 2005 as a result of the Government ban.
The same level is expected in 2006. No opium poppy cultivation was observed in the villages
visited.
Eradication
There were no reports of eradication.

The total number of villages in Parwan province is 980. The ORAS collected information in 16
villages.
30
KAPISA PROVINCE
Cultivation
Kapisa is not a major opium poppy-growing province, and cultivation decreased to 115 ha in 2005.
Cultivation is expected to increase in 2006.
Eradication
There were no reports of eradication.

Expected main harvest time Late May/early July
The total number of villages in Kapisa province is 307. The ORAS collected information in eight
villages.
WARDAK PROVINCE
Cultivation
Trends in opium poppy cultivation are not expected to change in 2006.

Expected main harvest time Late May/early July
The total number of villages in Wardak province is 1347. The ORAS collected information in 14
villages.
31
SOUTHERN ZONE
KANDAHAR PROVINCE
Cultivation
Following a sharp increase in 2005, no change in cultivation levels is expected in 2006. Following
the announcement by the Governor of Kandahar in December 2005 of an eradication campaign, a
decrease is expected in the central districts of the province, whilst in remote areas an increase is
expected.

Expected main harvest time Beginning of May
Security situation Poor
The total number of villages in Kandahar province is 1,854. The ORAS collected information in 29
villages.
Photo: Opium poppy field in Kandahar (date: 02/02/2006)
32
HELMAND PROVINCE
Cultivation
An increase in cultivation is expected in all districts of Helmand in 2006. Helmand province has the
highest levels of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, and in 2005 a total of 26,500 ha in the
province were under opium poppy cultivation. In remote parts of the province, some groups, such
as drug smugglers, are encouraging villagers to cultivate opium poppy. Helmand is also the most
significant province in terms of heroin processing and trafficking.

Expected main harvest time Beginning of May
Security situation Poor, particularly in northern Helmand
The total number of villages in Helmand province is 1,126. The ORAS collected information in 20
villages.
Photo: Opium poppy field in Helmand (date: 24/01/2006)
Photo: Wheat field in Helmand (date: 24/01/2006)
33
URUZGAN PROVINCE
Cultivation
Uruzgan is one of the major and traditional opium poppy-growing provinces of Afghanistan. In
2005, a sharp decrease in cultivation was reported, but in 2006 most villagers have decided to
grow opium poppy. A large increase is therefore expected.

Security situation Poor in northern Uruzgan; good in southern Uruzgan
The total number of villages in Uruzgan province is 2,492. The ORAS collected information in 34
villages.
34
ZABUL PROVINCE
Cultivation
Respondents predict a strong increase in cultivation in Zabul province in 2006. Zabul province is
one of the poorest regions of Afghanistan, and a high level of migration from the province to other
areas of Afghanistan is reported.

Security situation Very poor
The total number of villages in Zabul province is 1427. The ORAS collected information in 19
villages.
35
WESTERN ZONE
HERAT PROVINCE
Cultivation
Until 2003, Herat was not a major opium poppy-growing province. However, cultivation began after
2003, reaching 2,531 ha in 2004. Respondents expect cultivation to increase slightly in 2006,
particularly in the Shindad district.

Expected main harvest time Late May/late June
The total number of villages in Herat province is 1,435. The ORAS collected information in 22
villages.
FARAH PROVINCE
Cultivation
In 2005, cultivation increased by 348 per cent to 10,240 ha compared to 2004. Respondents
expected that cultivation levels would remain the same in 2006. Opium poppy cultivation was
reported in most districts during the survey.

Expected main harvest time Early May
Security situation Poor
The total number of villages in Farah province is 820. The ORAS collected information in 14
villages.
36
NIMROZ PROVINCE
Cultivation
The year 2005 marked a record increase in cultivation from 115 ha to 1,690 ha (1,370 per cent).
The same level of cultivation is expected in 2006. Nimroz lies at the country’s borders with Iran and
Pakistan, and is therefore one of the major trafficking provinces for the export of Afghan opium.

The total number of villages in Nimroz province is 427. The ORAS collected information in nine
villages.
GHOR PROVINCE
Cultivation
Owing to difficult terrain and harsh conditions, agriculture in Ghor province is limited to very narrow
valleys. However, cultivation is expected to increase in 2006. Ghor is one of the main opium-
trafficking provinces.

The total number of villages in Ghor province is 1,713. The ORAS collected information in 20
villages.
37
BADGHIS PROVINCE
Cultivation
Until 2004, opium poppy cultivation was very limited in Badghis province. In 2005, however, it
increased by 383 per cent to 2,967 ha. Key respondents predicted a further increase throughout
the province in 2006.

Eradication reported Very limited
Expected main harvest time Mid-June
The total number of villages in Badghis province is 639. The ORAS collected information in 12
villages.
38
ANNEX 1
Cultivation levels in 2004 and 2005 and expected trends in 2006
Change in
Change in 2004-2005 Cultivation trends in
2004-2005 as 2006 as compared
PROVINCE 2004 2005 (ha) percentage to 2005
Badakhshan 15,607 7,370 -8237 -53% Strong Increase
Badghis 614 2,967 2353 383% Increase
Baghlan 2,444 2,563 119 5% No Change
Balkh 2,495 10,837 8342 334% No Change
Bamyan 803 126 -677 -84% No Change
Farah 2,288 10,240 7952 348% No Change
Faryab 3,249 2,665 -584 -18% Increase
Ghazni 62 - -62 -100% No Change
Ghor 4,983 2,689 -2294 -46% Strong Increase
Helmand 29,353 26,500 -2853 -10% Strong Increase
Herat 2,531 1,924 -607 -24% Increase
Jawzjan 1,673 1,748 75 4% Increase
Kabul 282 - -282 -100% No Change
Kandahar 4,959 12,989 8030 162% No Change
Kapisa 522 115 -407 -78% Increase
Khost 838 - -838 -100% Increase
Kunar 4,366 1,059 -3307 -76% No Change
Kunduz 224 275 51 23% No Change
Laghman 2,756 274 -2482 -90% Strong Increase
Logar 24 - -24 -100% No Change
Nangarhar 28,840 1,093 -27747 -96% Strong Increase
Nimroz 115 1,690 1575 1370% No Change
Nuristan 764 1,554 790 103% Decrease
Paktika - - 0 0% No Change
Paktya 1,200 - -1200 -100% No Change
Parwan 1,310 - -1310 -100% No Change
Samangan 1,151 3,874 2723 237% Decrease
Sari Pul 1,974 3,227 1253 63% Decrease
Takhar 762 1,364 602 79% No Change
Uruzgan 11,080 4,605 -6475 -58% Strong Increase
Wardak 1,017 106 -911 -90% No Change
Zabul 2,977 2,053 -924 -31% Strong Increase
Total 131,263 103,907 -27356 -21% Overall Increase
39

01621-Afg RAS 2006

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Government of Afghanistan

Ministry of Counter Narcotics

ANP Afghan National Police

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Kabul)

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Vienna)

1. OPIUM RAPID ASSESSMENT SURVEY (DECEMBER-JANUARY)

2. ANNUAL OPIUM SURVEY (MARCH-AUGUST)

Opium Poppy Cultivation Survey

Crop Development Survey

Eradication Verification Survey

3. MONTHLY PRICE COLLECTION

Group 1: Villages located at an elevation of less than 1500m

Surveyor training and data collection

Photo: Surveyors during training

Photo: Data collection (surveyor interviews village headman)

2.1. GENERAL FINDINGS

Eradication activities will be implemented largely from mid-January 2006 by Governors in

Reasons for opium poppy cultivation

Table 1: Reasons for opium poppy cultivation in 2006

Graph 1: Average farm-gate prices for dry opium (US$/kg)

200 180 187

Table 2: Distribution of external assistance activities 2005

IRAN 1690 2005 Cultivation level (ha)

Nimroz Helm and PAKISTAN

Source: MCN - UNODC Afghanistan Rapid Assesment Survey 2006 (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring.html)

International Boundaries TURKMENIS TAN Khwahan TAJIKISTAN

Strong Increase (> 50%) Dawlat Abad

Nimroz Hilm and PAKISTAN NANGARHAR

Chahar Balkh Balkh

Chahar Balkh Balkh

Nad Ali Maywand ! Kandarhar Bagram Alasay Dara

Source: MCN - UNODC Afghanistan Rapid Assesment Survey 2006 (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring.html)

TURKMENIS TAN Jawzjan

2006 Village Sampling Frame

0 50 100 >1500 m and <= 2500 m

Source:MCN - UNODC Afghanistan Rapid Assessment Survey 2006 (http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop_monitoring.html)

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

No eradication was reported until the end of December 2005.

Opium Poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Photo : Opium poppy fields in Kunar (date: 21/12/2005)

Opium poppy cultivation details:

A decrease in cultivation is expected in 2006, following a sharp increase in 2005. Nuristan is

Cultivation in 2005 (hectares) 1 554

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Photo : Opium poppy in Balkh province (date: 17/12/2005)

Photo: Greenhouse construction in Balkh (date: 18/12/2005)

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

SARI PUL PROVINCE

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

Opium poppy cultivation details:

There were no reports of eradication.

Opium poppy cultivation details:

There were no reports of eradication.