Alternative development: A global thematic evaluation

As growers of illicit crops accept participating in alternative development projects, they need to be allowed a transition period until alternative development activities (on- or off-farm) will prove to be suitable to their agro-ecological environment, local knowledge, and start generating income that will contribute to improve the quality of their lives.
  • Alternative development
Alternative development requires an appropriate policy-legal framework, one that allows illicit-crop growers to be treated first as candidates for development rather than as criminals. Drug-crop eradication on farms lacking viable alternatives undermines development.
  • Alternative development
In farmers’ minds, conditionality tends toward associating alternative development with law-enforcement. This association can be fatal for alternative development; the two functions must always remain separate.
  • Alternative development
The elimination of illicit crops should be conditional on improvements in the lives and livelihoods of households. It should not be a prerequisite for development assistance.
  • Alternative development
Illicit crops should be eradicated only when viable alternatives exist for households participating in alternative development. Successful alternative development requires proper sequencing.
  • Alternative development

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