Bestandsinformatie

AFGHANISTAN, BARNABAD, 23 APRIL 2006
Barnabad, a small village near herat; villagers sadly look at the leftovers of one of their poppy field, that has been eradicated 20 days before. Only one poppy flower is still standing.
The afghan poppy fields are blossoming right now and all over the country farmers start gathering the opium from their crops. Meanwhile, the Afghan governement has started an eradication campaign that aims to deter farmers of growing poppies again. However, since growing poppies often mean the only means for an income to many farmers, and alternatives are scarce, farmers still take their chances on a massive scale. In spite of the efforts of the government the afghan opium production will be huge again this year.
Photo: Jeroen Oerlemans