Local officials said poppy cultivation has decreased in southern Helmand province, crediting the effectiveness of security forces in destroying poppy fields and opium production facilities.
Helmand is one of the leading opium producing provinces in Afghanistan, which was reported as the top source-country in the world for the past several years by the United Nations Offices on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Afghanistan produces over 70 percent of the world's illegal opium supply and has over one million users.
Although the Helmand officials did not provide any hard figures regarding the decline seen in production recently, any progress in the fight against the industry would be considered a success given the virtually unabated proliferation it has seen since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Poppy cultivation and the illegal opium trade are said to be critical sources of financing for the Taliban insurgency.
"Helmand officials have decided to hold a meeting in the near future with all the District Governors and District Police Chiefs to inform them and coordinate plans to further prevent poppy cultivation," said Helmand Governor Mohammad Naeem.
Governor Naeem and Provincial Police Chief Joma Gul Hemat also used the announcement of the reported decline to reaffirm that anyone found to be growing poppy in the province would face legal punishment regardless of the size or purpose of their operation.
"We give aid to farmers as an alternative to poppy cultivation, but still some grow poppy due to poverty, unemployment and security threats," said Helmand Police Chief Hemat. "But they will face severe punishment."
The announcement comes as farmers in Helmand and elsewhere prepare for the poppy harvesting season.