Helmand Governor, CN Minister, Deputy Interior Minister Kick Off Poppy Erad in Helmand
Nad Ali, Helmand - Helmand Governor Ghulab Mangal, Counter Narcotics Minister Khoidaidad and Deputy Minister of Interior Daoud kicked off the 2009 poppy eradication season by addressing a combined force of the Afghan National Police Poppy Eradication Force (PEF) and the Afghan National Army Counter Narcotics Infantry Kandak (CNIK) on February 5, 2009 at the PEF base camp in Nad Ali District of Helmand Province. “Every one of you is a real champion, a hero of Afghanistan,” Deputy Minister Daoud told the assembled troops.
Minister Khoidaidad praised the coordination of the police eradicators and their army colleagues, who for the first time are providing force protection for the eradicators. Governor Mangal noted that these eradication efforts follow an autumn of community outreach, during which the Governor and USAID donated wheat seed and fertilizer to 33,000 Helmand farmers. “We are seriously committed to getting this mission done successfully,” Mangal said.
In spite of insurgents attacks on several days, PEF has eradicated more hectares of poppy during its first eight days of operations than during the entire 2008 season, when PEF did not have the benefit of CNIK force protection. To date, the PEF has eradicated more than 1,600 hectares of poppy. Last year, only 1,200 hectares were eradicated by the PEF.
After the ceremony, the officials travelled with their troops in trucks and all-terrain vehicles to a nearby poppy field and eradicated it with tractors and ATVs.