KHYBER/ISLAMABAD (MNN); Ongoing security operations in Tirah Valley and large-scale displacement have caused heavy financial losses to local farmers, with reports confirming the destruction of the current poppy crop and fears that cultivation may not take place next year.
According to available information and local sources, the present season’s poppy yield has been completely lost. Sources said that during the snowfall season, harvested material is usually preserved in bundled form and stored at snow-covered locations. However, due to sudden displacement and strict security surveillance, farmers were unable to protect these reserves or complete post-snowfall processes in time, resulting in the wastage of a large quantity of stored material.
Local residents said the entire system linked to poppy cultivation has been severely disrupted. The absence of farmers, road closures and a broken supply chain have not only wiped out the current crop but also made preparations for the next season impossible. Sources warned that if the situation does not return to normal, poppy cultivation in Tirah Valley could be negligible in the coming year.
Meanwhile, users and market sources report a sharp rise in prices due to reduced availability. The price of hashish has reportedly increased by up to Rs50,000 per kilogram. Market sources said further price hikes cannot be ruled out if supply shortages continue.
Overall, the security operation and displacement in Tirah Valley have dealt a major blow to the illegal crop economy, storage and transportation network, with impacts now extending beyond the local area to the wider market.
