Alternative Livelihoods
Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of illicit opium, accounting for more than 90% of global output. Illicit opium cultivation is a major obstacle for the reconstruction of the country, which has already suffered from over 20 years of conflict.
UNODC recognizes that it is often impossible for a cash crop to compete equally with opium poppy. As an example, the reliance on a mono-crop such as wheat includes vulnerability to market forces outside of Afghanistan. The need to improve the quality of life of farmers must be considered in light of the opium income of yesterday and the expected legal income of tomorrow.
This is the essence of alternative livelihood (AL) versus the longer-term notion of rural development. Therefore, it is critical that in order to prevent opium poppy cultivation, and to sustain the ban on cultivation in opium-free zones, alternate livelihoods measures must be strengthened and coupled with the provision of necessary government services. Such an approach will result in increasing the quality of life for rural families, as part of the overall counter-narcotics strategy.
UNODC assists the Afghan government in the rebuilding process, including alternative livelihood-related activities. In recent years, UNODC in cooperation with the Ministry of Counter Narcotics has been providing capacity building for alternative livelihoods at central and provincial levels. Training for civil servants on needs assessment and monitoring and evaluation of AL programmes is provided to increase awareness of alternative livelihoods and to aid in the institutional strengthening of the Afghan government. In addition, the participation of major development agencies and non-governmental organizations in these training sessions fosters cooperation among stakeholders.
Mapping of alternative livelihood projects
The economic and political importance of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has prompted efforts by both the government of Afghanistan and the international community to find solutions to curtail production by enacting a combination of strategies, including identifying livelihood opportunities for small opium poppy farmers. UNODC contributes to these efforts through a team of highly qualified alternative livelihood experts based within the Ministry of Counter Narcotics in Kabul and five provinces (Badakhshan, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar). The AL experts support the provincial offices of the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics with programme coordination and knowledge management, building on the assistance provided through the UNODC -designed Alternative Livelihood Donor Database handed over to the Afghan government in 2005.
UNODC, in close collaboration with the government of Afghanistan and other key stakeholders, has developed the Afghanistan Opium Poppy Free Road Map . The Road Map is expected to result in an increased number of opium-free provinces, coupled with improved governance records. The approach has the Good Performance Initiative at its core and serves a dual purpose in advocating for the provision of an increased package of incentives and positive rewards for good-performing provinces in the field of drug control, and promotes operational coordination at the field level, augmenting the impact of existing interventions in a cost-effective manner.
Capacity building for alternative livelihoods
UNODC assists the Afghan government in the rebuilding process, including alternative livelihood-related activities.
In recent years, UNODC in cooperation with the Ministry of Counter Narcotics has been providing capacity building for alternative livelihoods at central and provincial levels. Training for civil servants on needs assessment and monitoring and evaluation of AL programmes is provided to increase awareness of alternative livelihoods and to aid in the institutional strengthening of the Afghan government. In addition, the participation of major development agencies and non-governmental organizations in these training sessions fosters cooperation among stakeholders.
Concept Note on "Alternative Livelihoods in Afghanistan" (full text)
Current Project
