Farmers in Helmand say that their economic problems have increased since the ban on poppy for opium cultivation.

According to these farmers, not only have recent years brought severe drought, but the ban on opium cultivation has also exacerbated their economic difficulties.

They are requesting the interim government provide a suitable alternative crop.

Helmand farmer Siddiqullah said: "Previously, we grew wheat, opium (poppy), and marijuana. Since the Islamic Emirate came, marijuana and opium have been banned, and now we only grow wheat and corn."

Another farmer, Amir Mohammad, said: "Things are expensive; we can't afford fertilizer or seeds. We are poor people; they should give us something in return that would be profitable."

Farmer Saleh said: "Now, if we grow wheat and barley, they sell us a bag of chemical fertilizer for 18,000, which doesn't profit us, we are truly at a loss."

Agricultural experts also believe that if the interim government creates vineyards and pistachio and pomegranate orchards for farmers in Helmand as an alternative to opium, it would significantly resolve existing issues and promote the agriculture sector's growth.

A professor from the agriculture faculty of Helmand University told TOLOnews: "As an alternative to opium, establishing vineyards can yield good results in the first step, as well as pomegranates, and in the northern districts, certain varieties of apples (pears) show good outcomes."

Professor Qudratullah Hamidi said: "Generally, opium was grown in areas that were deserts; we can't create orchards in desert areas now, so a good alternative would be fig, saffron, and cumin cultivation."

The head of Helmand's Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock said that they have started efforts to create date palm orchards as an alternative to opium cultivation and have established ten orchards so far.

He stated that efforts are being made to provide improved seeds and chemical fertilizers to farmers with the financial support of aid organizations.

Niaz Mohammad, the head of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Helmand, said: "Creating greenhouses is important; greenhouses were built last year, we constructed 6 greenhouses last year, and in the coming times, 20 more greenhouses will be constructed by the ministry in Helmand for the people, and distribution of improved seeds as a better alternative to opium cultivation has also begun."

According to local officials, following the Islamic Emirate's ban on opium cultivation, approximately 5,000 acres of land in the province have been cleared of opium.