Afghanistan's poppy problem

President Karzai suggests that fruit and vegetables, as well as wheat, may be strong alternative crops that would not “punish” opium farmers by removal of their farming livelihood (RussiaToday and Al-Jazeera English 2009). The fertile condition of most Afghani land, combined with the recent investment in sustainable roadwork has given farmers a ground base from which to extend their current highly localised and centralised opium production. Karzai himself gives the example that 30 years ago Afghanistan was the leading exporter of raisins. A consortium of four universities have suggested that strawberries and melons have great potential, however, pest problems would need to be addressed. The issue with wheat is more problematic, with a potent strain of fungi, MU-99, posing long-term problems with sustainable growth.

There has been some legitimate preliminary private investment in Afghanistan, mainly in roads, electricity and the provision of other basic infrastructure, as well as some supply of private medicines. Until completion of the Obama administration's investment in roads, electricity and water infrastructure it remains that Afghanistan is seen, and rightly so, as a risky and costly investment in an unstable nation not offering a large chance of successful return on investment.

The Obama administration has most certainly given a new direction to Afghanistan policy. A strong rally of military troops, combined with increased aid, has reinvested a renewed sense of purpose and strength for combating what are now clearly defined policy goals, problems and issues. However, a united US front will decline as troop count increases. Further, the ongoing nature of opium production and the systemic government corruption linked to it is an issue not widely discussed in foreign media and thus unlikely to affect mainstream concepts of purpose.

Remember though: Obama and Karzai have admitted that opium is likely to be around for another 5 to 10 years. International troops are likely to remain in Afghanistan for another 15 to 20 years in what Karzai has termed a “training and advisory” capacity. It must be remembered that the alignment of military policy and the opium/de-corruption policy is highly linked. The recent Afghani elections were watched the world over by governments, investors, aid organisations and NGOs.

A long-term stable, non-corrupt Afghani government, combined with a sustainable economy not dependent on opium are the overall goals of the current US (and other) aid investment in the region. The challenges of mounting the infrastructure, the personnel and the maintenance of these ambitious aims are however extremely difficult. An appropriate quote from Robert McNamara springs to mind:

In international affairs, as in other aspects of life, there may be problems for which there are no immediate solutions. For one whose life has been dedicated to the belief and practice of problem solving, this is particularly hard to admit. But, at times, we may have to live with an imperfect, untidy world.