Afghanistan is appealing to the international community to provide extra supplies of wheat to alleviate a shortage.

Commerce Minister Mohammad Amin Farhang said this shortage could lead to serious problems during the winter.

The reason for both the shortage and the spiraling cost of grain, has nothing to do with the war or a shortage of farmland. Instead it’s good old fashioned economics.
Wheat is cheap and requires a great deal of land to grow enough to make a profit. Poppies on the other hand produce a very high per acre ROI.

As long as the various powers don’t intrude overly much, farmers will take the risk and grow a high profit crop. Using this approach, instead of a subsistence living a farmer can make enough to buy a truck or shoes for their children.

As long as there’s no way for a farmer to make life better for his children growing politically correct crops, growing what’s illegal and in demand is going to be an option that is seriously considered.

Meanwhile back in the halls of power. The rich and powerful, the politicians, the local army, and the local police are content to take their cut. Leaving absolutely no incentive for change.

Now some well placed minister, looks surprised, and asks for foreign aid. Experience has taught us that this aid, whether it be cash or sellable commodity, will be diverted for the personal use of various national and local bureaucrats.