LASHKAR GAH , Afghanistan, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Agency for International Development announced a partnership with Afghanistan's government to curb terrorist funding of opium production.
Officials from USAID and the Afghan agriculture ministry announced Monday a new $50 million program aimed at ending opium production in the volatile Helmand province in the south of Afghanistan, Adnkronos reported.
Ninety percent of the funds will come from USAID, with the remaining 10 percent coming from the Afghan government. Officials say the project is an effort to provide opium farmers with the opportunity to grow crops like almonds, pomegranates and pistachios and end the illicit cultivation of poppies.
Afghanistan is the world's No. 1 producer of opium, according to the United Nations. Reports indicate that the opium drug trade largely goes to fund Taliban and other terrorist operations. Because of the high price of poppies, local Afghan farmers continue to cultivate the crop despite it being illegal.
USAID and Afghan officials also say that part of the new investment will pay for an agricultural research center and a new civilian-run airport at Lashkar Gah.
"A purpose-built processing center at the new Lashkar Gah airport will enable the new crops to be properly stored and packaged," Adnkronos reported.
