There has been so much in the news lately about Afghanistan and the farmers growing poppies. On wikipedia.com it says "As much as one-third of Afghanistan's GDP comes from growing poppy and illicit drugs including opium and its two derivatives, morphine and heroin, as well as hashish production.[20] Opium production in Afghanistan has soared to a new record in 2007, with an increase on last year of more than a third, the United Nations has said.[53] Some 3.3 million Afghans are now involved in producing opium.[54]"
I have often wondered to myself what a solution would be for this problem.
An Afghan farmer told Army Sgt. Maj. James McDowell that there was an easy way to get him and his fellow farmers to stop growing poppy: Give them saffron bulbs instead. As the most expensive spice in the world, saffron generates nearly as much revenue as poppy, and it takes money out of the hands of drug dealers who work with the Taliban.
If you go to the link on his name you can see the video where he was featured on "CNN Heroes" telling his story. From there, there is a link that you can go to if you choose to help his cause.
Sgt. Maj. McDowell is one of 18 finalists. You can meet all of the CNN Finalists here. There will be An All-Star Tribute," CNN's live global telecast airing Thursday, December 6 at 9 p.m. ET. A Blue Ribbon Panel of world leaders and luminaries will select one of the three for special recognition.
P.S. I also found a very interesting website called "Afghanistan Online," you may wish to check out for more information about the country.
Please visit my site for information and support. Seattle, Bellevue, Queen Anne, Wallingford, Fremont and Redmond, Washington Real Estate Property Listings.
;)
Links;)
Archives
Leslie, it is a great idea; however, the profiteers from the poppy plants are not paying taxes on their income. If they ended up in the saffron business, it would be declarable.
I do not believe the drug trade will ever allow crop rotations.
Gail Gladstone, Long Island Realtor