A United Nations initiative has revealed a significant rise in opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, which currently produces over 80% of the world’s opium. Following the Taliban’s return to power, opium cultivation initially dropped but then surged, attributed to economic desperation and limited alternative livelihoods. The Taliban government has announced crackdowns, yet the drug trade remains a major income source. The UN report highlights that drug cultivation supports Afghanistan's informal economy and presents ongoing challenges for regional and global drug control efforts.