Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has funded (a) alternativeemployment for workers in the poppy industry and (b) the purchase of poppy crops in Afghanistan since 1997. [220783]Hilary Benn: As a counterbalance to the elimination of the illicit opium economy in Afghanistan, opportunities to pursue alternativelicit livelihoods for existing and potential poppy growers must be developed. DFID works through the National Priority Programmes ofthe Afghan Government and with a range of NGOs to provide both agricultural and non- agricultural inputs and technical support togive farmers alternative livelihood opportunities in poor rural areas.DFID funds targeted alternative livelihood programmes in Badakhshan and Eastern Hazarajat. In Badakhshan, DFID is also funding a"Cash for Work" programme in order to generate increased minimum wage employment through labour-intensive public works. This isdesigned to provide up to 500,000 person days of employment for those previously generating income from growing poppy. We are indiscussion with the Government of Afghanistan and others to identify opportunities to provide similar support in other key poppygrowing provinces.DFID has not, as part of its programme, purchased any poppy crops in Afghanistan.