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This February 2010 report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime finds,
"Following the 22 % reduction in opium cultivation in 2009 (123,000 ha), the Opium Winter Rapid
Assessment (ORAS) anticipates an overall stable opium cultivation in Afghanistan in 2010.1
-- Four provinces, Uruzgan, Faryab, Baghlan and Sari Pul are likely to show a moderate
increase in opium cultivation.
-- The twenty provinces reported to be poppy-free in 2009 are likely to be reduced to only 17
in 2010. The assessment indicates that three provinces, Baghlan, Faryab and Sari Pul,
which were poppy-free in 2009, will not be poppy-free in 2010 unless timely eradication
is implemented or if the current drought-like conditions persist.
-- A moderate decrease in opium cultivation is expected in Kunar, Nangarhar, Badghis,
Farah, Hirat, Nimroz, Day Kundi and Zabul provinces. Kunar and Nangarhar can be
poppy-free if timely eradication is implemented.
-- The opium cultivation is expected to remain stable in Kabul, Laghman, Badakhshan,
Hilmand and Kandahar provinces. Kabul, Laghman and Badakhshan can be poppy-free if
timely eradication is implemented. However, cultivation would remain very high in
Hilmand and high in Kandahar.
-- Overall, the cultivation of opium in Afghanistan is likely to remain stable in 2010 but the
number of poppy-free provinces may decrease. However, if timely poppy eradication
measures are implemented and/or drought-like conditions prevail, a total of 25 provinces,
an increase of 5 compared to 2009, could be poppy-free in 2010."
