Western governments are in disarray over how to deal with surging opium production in the areas of Afghanistan hardest hit by the Taliban insurgency.

The increases in the opium harvest and areas under cultivation this year could top the 60 per cent rise that saw 172,600 hectares given over to poppy farming in 2006. Most of the increase came from the southern province of Helmand where British troops are stationed, counter-narcotics officials said.