Article

2007-06-26 Afghanistan

Most opium now processed inside Afghanistan

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Posted by Steve White 2007-06-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top
File under: Taliban

#1 Nation-buildling at work, again.

Posted by McZoid 2007-06-26 01:46|| 2007-06-26 01:46|| Front Page Top

#2 Oguz is part of the problem.

Posted by gorb 2007-06-26 05:27|| 2007-06-26 05:27|| Front Page Top

#3 And they say there's been no progress in Afghanistan.

Posted by gromgoru 2007-06-26 06:12|| 2007-06-26 06:12|| Front Page Top

#4 I wonder how much of that morphine is needed to treat their wounded Talibuddies? And how much of the heroin to 'motivate' their suicide attackers? They HAD to make their own - or smuggle the opium out and the refined products back in.
Seriously though, this historical and extremely lucrative crop cannot be wiped out without huge problems. But the farmers don't get paid all that much for it. Instead of trying to stop it maybe we should provide an alternative market for it, and buy it ourselves. I don't mean enter a bidding war with the heroin lords, but just provide a legal outlet at a 'normal' price to allow farmers to make their traditional living but not be outlaws in doing so. Heck, maybe we could even find something useful to do with the stuff.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-06-26 07:25|| 2007-06-26 07:25|| Front Page Top

#5 Whatever money we pay the farmer for the opium the smugglers will pay more.

Posted by bernardz">bernardz 2007-06-26 09:51|| 2007-06-26 09:51|| Front Page Top

#6 I think we should buy it as it can be turned into a legitimate pain killer. The synthetics such as Oxycontin have proved just as addictive as the narcotics they were created to replace. The pharmaceutical industry is way out-of-control and we need cost effective prescriptions for our growing geriatric population.

Posted by Danielle 2007-06-26 11:07|| 2007-06-26 11:07|| Front Page Top

#7 Is there any reasonable argument to removing this funding source for the talibs by aerial spraying of herbicide?

so the farmers lose their money? hire them to work on road crews or to build a sustainable infrastructure that will promote a future.

Posted by Abu do you love 2007-06-26 18:30|| 2007-06-26 18:30|| Front Page Top

#8 I often wonder if these might work as alternative crops all these are high altitude plants from the Andes.

Maca: This root likes very cold climates with adequate moisture, and is found only in Peru, including at levels of over 4000m. With a high protein content of around 15%, maca is also reputed to have fertility-enhancing qualities, and is used as an energiser and anti-stress agent. It is boiled in water then mixed with fruit juice or milk to make a thick broth. Maca is marketed as a nutrient supplement in a dehydrated and ground form in capsules.

Mashua: Like ulluco and oca, mashua is intercropped with other plants, and can be found from northern Argentina to Colombia. It is extremely popular in Colombia, partly because of its strong resistance to pests and disease, and due to yields often being as high as 70 tonne/ha; it is planted around fields in the belief that it will repel potato pests. Mashua is commonly used in food and folk medicine. Men often avoid eating it due to its reputation as an antiaphrodisiac. In Bolivia and Peru the tuber is left outside overnight and eating the next day with honey.

Oca: Because of its high yield and good taste (in addition to low inputs), Oca is frequently used in Andean rural cuisine, and it also grown in Venezuela, Argentina and Chile. Oca has a high water content (around 80%) and is often fed to children, and used in soups and stews. It can also be dehydrated and used as flour. Experiments have shown that it could take the place of wheat flour in the preparation of bread.

Posted by bruce 2007-06-26 19:09|| 2007-06-26 19:09|| Front Page Top

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