Farmers in southern Helmand province said Sunday that they were given modified poppy seeds two years ago which now enables them to cultivate the plants year round.

AVA- According to the farmers, in the past they were only able to cultivate poppies for six months a year whereas now they are able to cultivate the plant the whole year – through all four seasons.  
“After harvesting the plants from the farm, we prepare the land and plant new seeds. It means now we have access to seeds that we can cultivate over four seasons instead of two seasons,” said Ahmad, a farmer. 
The farmers said they earn more money now by growing poppies year round, and more money than they would make farming agricultural produce.  
“If we cultivate other agricultural produce we won’t earn a lot due to the lack of marketing. But when we cultivate poppies (for drugs), we earn a lot,” Abdul Basir, another farmer said. 
Esmatullah, 13, said he is used to planting poppies for drugs and when he was in Grade 2, his family encouraged him to start working on the farm. 
“I become familiar with drug farms from when I was a child. I work every day on the farms and earn money for my family’s expenses,” said Esmatullah. 
Officials have meanwhile stated that more farmers are turning to poppies in the central, southern and northern districts of Helmand province.