There can be little doubt that despite the best efforts of Western nations, Afghanistan remains the leader in the growth of opium crops in the world. For many locals, it is the only source of income.
Now it has come to light that Iraqi "farmers" are trying to get into the act too. It's obviously a quick cash crop. This new situation is presumably a totally unexpected fall-out and dimension to the outcome of the decision to invade Iraq. As The Independent reports:
"Farmers in southern Iraq have started to grow opium poppies in their fields for the first time, sparking fears that Iraq might become a serious drugs producer along the lines of Afghanistan.
Rice farmers along the Euphrates, to the west of the city of Diwaniya, south of Baghdad, have stopped cultivating rice, for which the area is famous, and are instead planting poppies, Iraqi sources familiar with the area have told The Independent.
The shift to opium cultivation is still in its early stages but there is little the Iraqi government can do about it because rival Shia militias and their surrogates in the security forces control Diwaniya and its neighbourhood. There have been bloody clashes between militiamen, police, Iraqi army and US forces in the city over the past two months."
Now it has come to light that Iraqi "farmers" are trying to get into the act too. It's obviously a quick cash crop. This new situation is presumably a totally unexpected fall-out and dimension to the outcome of the decision to invade Iraq. As The Independent reports:
"Farmers in southern Iraq have started to grow opium poppies in their fields for the first time, sparking fears that Iraq might become a serious drugs producer along the lines of Afghanistan.
Rice farmers along the Euphrates, to the west of the city of Diwaniya, south of Baghdad, have stopped cultivating rice, for which the area is famous, and are instead planting poppies, Iraqi sources familiar with the area have told The Independent.
The shift to opium cultivation is still in its early stages but there is little the Iraqi government can do about it because rival Shia militias and their surrogates in the security forces control Diwaniya and its neighbourhood. There have been bloody clashes between militiamen, police, Iraqi army and US forces in the city over the past two months."
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