Building resilience to opium poppy cultivation by strengthening the design of alternative development interventions: evidence from Afghanistan

The present article evaluates farmer and community characteristics that promote resilience to opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. In general, resilience-building can be associated with measures to manage changes in contexts of long-lasting or recurring crisis, as opposed to measures aimed at controlling changes in stable systems. Afghanistan is a country in a state of constant, protracted crisis. As expected, the evidence gathered in the field suggests that farmers need sources of income that are not only profitable but also sustainable over time in order to keep them from cultivating opium poppy.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions