The high profits from “farming” opium poppies are due to the illegal nature of the activity — same as bank robbing. If the crop were 100% legal, the price would collapse to the point where farmers could make the same growing alternative crops. Those excess crime-related profits don’t only support the farmers — they support the warlords who provide “security”, along with an entire processing and distribution network. And, of course, they also now support the Taliban.
True, but I was commenting on the farmers only, as they would have to alter their method of farming, probably have to buy some new equipment and of course seeds, etc. I think, for a poor poppie farmer, it is a lot cheaper, easier, and productive to continue with what they’ve been doing for years.