Some industries such as banking are fairly well along in making computer systems year-2000 compliant, but others, including food processing, agriculture and farming, some government services, construction, law, and medical practice are lagging, Marcoccio said.

CNN: Gartner's year-2000 survey finds widespread disruptions likely

Farming leaders believe less strict movement regulations will reduce the incentive to break the law.

BBC: Foot and mouth rules set to be eased

The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Moscow says the new federal law is crucial to end the current corruption surrounding land leases and to make Russian farming more effective.

BBC: Russia approves land sales bill

"Improved living conditions, including greater security and rule of law, should be encouraged in Helmand and nationwide if we are to help poor farming communities to support themselves, " said UNODC's director Yury Fedotov.

BBC: Afghanistan opium harvest drops by a third - UN