Only half a century ago Afghanistan was renowned for its orchards and grapes. At present, it is known for its opium (87 percent of world output) cultivated by nearly 9 percent of the population (UNODC 2006). Twenty-three years of conflict destroyed the country's economic infrastructure and eroded social and cultural values in the society. In a war-torn country lacking sound governance and strong economy, civilians opted to cultivate the opium poppy to survive under the protection of warlords who used funds to sustain their armies.

Afghani…