The total opium cultivation in 2008 in Afghanistan is estimated at 157,000 ha, a 19-percent reduction compared to 2007. Unlike previous years, 98 percent of the total cultivation is confined to seven Provinces with security problems; five of these Provinces are in the south and two in the west. Of the 34 Provinces in the country, 18 were free of poppy cultivation in 2008 compared to 13 in 2007. At the district level, 297 of Afghanistan’s 398 districts were poppy free in 2008. Only a small portion of the total cultivation occurred in the north, northeast, and east. These regions accounted for less than 2 percent of cultivation. The total opium production in 2008 is estimated at 7,700 tons, a 6-percent reduction from 2007. The gross income for farmers who cultivated opium poppy is estimated at $732 million U.S. dollars for 2008. This is a decrease from the 2007 income of $1 billion U.S. dollars. The report’s analysis concludes that the reduction in opium poppy cultivation was due to good local leadership and bad weather. Strong leadership by some Province governors discouraged farmers from planting opium through effective campaigns against its cultivation, effective peer pressure, and the promotion of rural development. Religious leaders, elders, and shura also deserve credit for convincing farmers not to grow opium, because it is against Islamic law. Drought was a factor in crop failure, particularly in the north and northwest, where most cultivation is dependent on rain. A number of recommendations are offered for further decreases in opium poppy cultivation. 11 tables and 11 figures