Afghanistan Poppy Crop Hits Record High

Poppy production in Afghanistan grew to an all time high in 2013 despite the United States spending some $7 billion in eradication efforts over the past 10 years. A report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction said Afghan farmers grew 209,000 hectares of poppies in 2013, surpassing the previous peak of 193,000 hectares in 2007. It said one reason for the increase was more affordable deep-well technology that has allowed farmers to turn some 200,000...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - mardi 21 octobre 2014