We’ve spent years mapping Afghanistan’s fields from space — and the story they tell this year is both urgent and important. Drought, lost livelihoods, and the quiet return of poppy are reshaping the countryside in ways that demand attention and evidence-led action.

World Is One News have made a short video of the key points of the research by @mansfieldintinc.bsky.social & @alcis.org so we don't have to! 🔗Our reports here: lnkd.in/eSj-Jij8 lnkd.in/eHjq3RH5. #OpiumEconomy #Pakistan #Afghanistan #DrugPolicy #GeospatialAnalysis www.wionews.com/videos/pakis...

Pakistan Becomes Opium Capital Of The World With Afghan Expertise

#Gravitas With the help of Afghan farmers, Pakistan is overtaking Afghanistan and emerging as the leading hub of global opium production.  This finding comes after the Taliban’s strict ban on poppy cu...

wionews.com

@financialtimes.com builds on @mansfieldintinc.bsky.social & @alcis.org reporting & not behind a paywall – read while you can! Covered by 10 other media outlets including: @thetelegraph.bsky.social & @dailyexpressnews.bsky.social #OpiumEconomy #Pakistan #Afghanistan #DrugPolicy on.ft.com/47JdlGu

Pakistan battles resurgent opium trade

[FREE TO READ] Authorities are intensifying crackdown after Taliban ban pushes drug trade into neighbouring country

on.ft.com

More opium poppy cultivation in Pakistan than Afghanistan this year? A remarkable development if true! More here: www.alcis.org/post/opiate-...

@alcis.org has released winter crop estimates for 6 provinces in Afghanistan with 2 concerning results; 2nd year of reductions in agriculture, notably wheat cultivation Increase in opium cultivation in all 5 southwest provinces but still at very low levels www.alcis.org/post/crop-es...

2025 crop estimates for six provinces in Afghanistan

Winter crop estimates for six provinces in Afghanistan reveal two concerning results: • A second year of reductions in the area of agriculture to the lowest levels of cultivation seen over the last se...

alcis.org

This year, the poppy crop in Badakhshan has moved into rainfed areas where much more land is available & poppy fields are much larger, with a lower risk of eradication. Read more in @mansfieldintinc.bsky.social blog: www.alcis.org/post/opiate-...

Patterns of poppy cultivation varied across Helmand province this year. @mansfieldintinc.bsky.social explains in this article (www.alcis.org/post/opiate-...) that in accessible areas, poppy fields remained small & isolated. In remote areas, poppy fields were visible from the road & more contiguous.

Satellite imagery indicate that poppy cultivation will increase in Afghanistan in 2025, but will likely remain at historically low levels. @mansfieldintinc.bsky.social's latest blog: www.alcis.org/post/opiate-... explains that some poppy cultivation in Badakhshan has moved to rainfed areas.

Update on the Taliban's drug ban from @mansfieldintinc.bsky.social, looking at factors for continued opiate supplies; inventories in southwest Afghanistan, cultivation in Badakhshan, improved processing techniques, & increases in poppy cultivation in Pakistan in 2025. www.alcis.org/post/opiate-...

Opiate supplies continue despite the Taliban drugs ban

While many argue that a shift into synthetic opioids downstream in Europe is a function of a shortage of opium in Afghanistan caused by the Taliban drugs ban, opium prices in Afghanistan have been fal...

alcis.org

A really important report for those that want to better understand how satellite imagery data can help better understand conflict and other dynamics in hard to reach areas!

@mansfieldintinc.bsky.social · last yr.

1/4 Blog @lawfaremedia.org with @alcis.org funded by @XCEPT It focuses on the transformative effects of solar power: how it has supported Afghan farmers cope with climate change but ultimately how its expansion now threatens the livelihoods of 3.65 million people www.lawfaremedia.org/article/unde...

A great synthesis report by David Mansfield, with analysis and products by @alcis.org that brings together the impacts of the Taliban's drugs ban over the last three years. www.euda.europa.eu/publications...

Two reports covering water issues in southwest Afghanistan and flows into Iran from Dave Mansfield & @alcis.org & the potential for further conflicts in the future: Digging an ever-deeper hole: www.xcept-research.org/publication/... Missing the target: www.xcept-research.org/publication/...

Today’s #WorldWaterDay2025 theme is #GlacierPreservation. @alcis.org's storymap explores how communities in the Tropical Andes are at increasing risk from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) that can destroy communities, infrastructure & ecosystems downstream. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6b23...

Frozen to Flooded

Exploring the Threats of Glacier Retreat and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Cordillera Blanca, Tropical Andes

storymaps.arcgis.com

It is long over due my joining BlueSky - night and day difference compared to the nonsense of my feed on X! I am looking forward to contributing to this growing community. Visit @alcis.org's website: www.alcis.org & follow our work on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/company/alcis-holdings-ltd/

Alcis

Improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable people through innovative, world class Geographic Information Services.

alcis.org