Taliban FM Urges International Support for Farmers Affected by Poppy Ban

DID Press: Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, has criticized the international community for failing to provide alternative livelihood support to Afghan farmers affected by the ban on poppy cultivation, saying no effective programme has been implemented to help them sustain their incomes.

Muttaqi made the remarks on Tuesday, October 13, during a meeting with Thomas Frellesen, the newly appointed European Union special envoy for Afghanistan. According to a statement from the Taliban-run Foreign Ministry, the two discussed security, counter-narcotics efforts, and humanitarian and political issues.

Muttaqi said the international community had not provided serious and effective economic assistance to farmers affected by the poppy ban imposed by the Taliban. He warned that the lack of alternative livelihood opportunities could have wider economic and social consequences for Afghanistan.

Frellesen reaffirmed the European Union’s position in support of security in Afghanistan and efforts to combat narcotics. He also said the bloc would continue pursuing cooperation with Afghanistan across various sectors.

The EU envoy has previously stated that support for the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, would remain central to the bloc’s engagement with Afghanistan.

The issue remains significant as the poppy cultivation ban has disrupted the livelihoods of some Afghan farming households. Despite repeated calls by the Taliban for international assistance to develop alternative sources of income, ensuring sustainable support for affected farmers remains a major economic and livelihood challenge.