The extraordinary achievements of the Doi Tung Development Project in Sustainable Alternative Development and opium and drug eradication was followed with interest by officials in Afghanistan, one of the world’s largest sources of opium poppy.

However the circumstances in Afghanistan differ significantly; the country does not in any way share the ‘Thai experience’. A different set of environmental, social and cultural factors prevails.

Acknowledging that the situation in Afghanistan is fundamentally different and that the project team from Thailand lacked an intimate knowledge of the local terrain and culture, the parties agreed to a different approach.

Drawing on the benefit of key lessons learnt and past experience, building trust at the grassroots level was identified as being key to the success of the Doi Tung Development Project Under Royal Patronage.

If project success was to be forthcoming, it was imperative to engage and involve the local population and gain their willing participation and support in the development initiative.

Hence in Project Afghanistan, Sustainable Alternative Development initiatives are being championed by the Central Asia Development Group (CDAG) – an Afghanistan-based non-governmental organization (NGO), with the Doi Tung International Cooperation Programme assuming an advisory and consultative role instead. The arrangement facilitates a free communication with local residents and enables the authorities in Afghanistan to maintain an active and meaningful dialogue.

In 2003, Project Afghanistan kicked-off with the Doi Tung Development Project International Cooperation Programme hosting two study trips to the project site for two separate delegations from Afghanistan; comprising Ministers, Deputy Ministers, religious leaders, governors and local military leaders.

In Afghanistan, opium cultivation is a lucrative venture; however the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few opium-growers. The rest of the population remains impoverished.

Upon arrival in Thailand, the situation in the country was initially perceived to be poles apart with some expressing varying degrees of scepticism.

During the study trip, the delegates from Afghanistan were offered the opportunity to meet and talk candidly with former opium growers in the Doi Tung project area in Thailand and learn about the reasons why these individuals have not since resumed opium cultivation, in spite of market demands.

By the end of their stay in Thailand, both delegations returned to Afghanistan with new hope. The officials had seen for themselves, first-hand, the tangible successes of the Doi Tung Development Project. Candid discussions, ‘knowledge exchange’ and information-sharing convinced the delegates that the Doi Tung model for Sustainable Alternative Development is one that they could ‘transfer’ and ‘adopt and adapt’ for their country.