If you would rather not read my nonsense and just jump right in, I've posed the question at the bottom!

I haven't really debated this with anyone and as such I am not up-to-speed on the latest news about the subject.  But over the last few days I have stumbled upon a few pieces of news (on TV, radio, or Internet) that talk a bit about the Afghan poppy crop and how eliminating it would be a huge gain for Coalition forces working to stabilize the country.

It is my understanding that the Taliban tax the poppy farmers, some sources like the UN say up to 10% on a crop that adds $3 billion annually to Afghanistan's economy.  That is $300,000,000 per year in taxes levied by the Taliban.  Of course, it is unlikely that they actually get ALL of that money, but even extremely conservative estimates (1% would be $30,000,000) is a huge chunk of money.  It is not a stretch to believe that the vast majority of this money is being used to finance Taliban militancy in the country.

But of course there is this piece of information that also requires a second look:

This suggests to me that wiping our the poppy fields will not eliminate Taliban taxation (no doubt through intimidation) on Afghan farmers.  While legal crops may not be as lucrative, the Taliban wants its money and will certainly require farmers to pay up, or else.  In other words, poppies or no poppies, Agriculture in general will continue to reluctantly finance the Taliban.

I have been convinced over the last few years (from my general understanding of the topic) that it would be best for Coalition forces to eliminate the poppy fields and provide the farmers with money and equipment so that they are able to make a living.  In fact, an incentive should be offered to sweeten the deal and attempt to gain favor with Afghan farmers.  I've also heard that transporting the crops to market is still a problem which seems to indicate that investments in infrastructure would also help increase the farmer's take.  Perhaps a grant program to provide vehicles to unemployed city-dwellers (for transporting agricultural items to the cities) would help to get people employed.

My question is if would make much difference.  I'm particularly interested in Ahk's perspective (as it is my understanding he served there) but of course all opinions are welcome. 

Would eliminating Afghan poppy fields help to cripple the Taliban?  And if so, how should we go about it?

I thought that the Taliban are active traders of poppy subproducts and that they take their income or taxes anywhere on the narcotic chain.
Since growing poppy is illegal only illegal groups would buy the poppy crops and these groups are known to work with the taliban. Or there are other illegal groups not linked with the taliban, and the taliban has to take money from the farmers.

Anyway, the problem is preventing the taliban from showing up at the villages to take money or, to the contrary, to buy poppy mastic, the basic material for opium.
To do that you would need a squadron in every villages and that's impossible. It's already impossible to destroy illegal poppy fields. It's even less possible to protect every villages. Especialy since those villagers have friendly ties with the taliban (when the latters are buying poppy crops)

So the only solution is to shot them one by one when coalition troops see them.

It would make it definetly more difficult because legal crops means less money circulating around. And because Taliban are involved in the opium trade.
but eradicating poppy fields is almostimpossible without billions and billions of dollars.