Article

2008-06-25 Afghanistan

Taliban Receives $100 Million to Protect Heroin Market

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Posted by McZoid 2008-06-25 00:00|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 I thought part of the reason for the drop in the poppy crop was farmers switching over to more lucrative (to them) wheat production in response to current shortages world wide.

Posted by trailing wife">trailing wife 2008-06-25 06:16|| 2008-06-25 06:16|| Front Page Top

#2 I read about the switch to wheat somewhere. There is also a nasty virus that has crippled wheat production in Egypt and has spread to Iran and Pakistan. I believe Iran is a big producer and if the reports are true it should increase discontent about the inflationary price of food in that country. Meanwhile here in Kansas wheat production may set new records as yields are high even on dry land farms in the south west.

Posted by bman 2008-06-25 11:14|| 2008-06-25 11:14|| Front Page Top

#3 That's good to know, bman. All I've seen are reports of lost crops in rain soaked and flooded areas.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-06-25 11:45|| 2008-06-25 11:45|| Front Page Top

#4 I found this on "Defense of the Realm" website, part three on how to win the war in Afgan.
"Interestingly, there is anecdotal evidence that wheat production, in times of high demand, is more profitable than poppy growing. The gross income from selling raw opium might be higher, but the process is highly labour-intensive, requiring more inputs. Thus, with commodity prices at record highs, the current "global food crisis" provides a unique opportunity to promote a long-term switch from opium to food." If you are not familiar with this website it is very good information on the UK military.

Posted by bman 2008-06-25 12:06|| 2008-06-25 12:06|| Front Page Top

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