As part of our focus on tackling the world drug problem, UNODC runs the Alternative Development Programme to assist countries to decrease local community’s dependence on illicit economies.
Alternative Development is much more than switching from on crop to another. It requires creating products for which there is market demand, supporting entrepreneurship, involving civil society, empowering the disenfranchised and preserving the environment.
UNODC programmes have provided communities with food security and cash crop diversification interventions such as the coffee and cocoa value chain.
Furthermore, projects do not only focus on agricultural or fishing activities but also cover many other types of livelihoods such as crafts, ecotourism, textile manufacturing or services related to environmental protection.
UNODC also promotes investment in infrastructure such as irrigation canals, transportation facilities, processing centres and cold storage.
