Zimbabwe expects to put an estimated 50 hectares of land under hemp production this season as the number of registered players rises to 72.
There are now 35 hemp cultivators, 22 merchants and 15 researchers/breeders, according to Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) Chief Executive Officer, Clever Isaya in remarks made on his behalf at the industrial hemp production farmer training program held in the capital, Monday.
“In 2022, industrial hemp production jumped to 40.23mt produced from 24.3ha compared to 20.84mt from 21.5ha the previous year. Accessibility to seed is a major hindrance to production by most of the registered growers,” said Isaya.
He said all production was for CBD Flower only and exports of CDB Flower have been to Switzerland.
Through the farmer training program, AMA is seeking to capacitate industrial hemp producers to increase production and improve productivity and create linkages with international players such as Plantiqua.
Plantiqua is a hemp producer based in Poland and working with local producers.
Industrial hemp production and marketing was legalized in Zimbabwe through Statutory Instrument 218 of 2020 Agricultural Marketing Authority Regulations (Industrial Hemp) Regulations.
The purpose of the regulations is to regulate the production, procurement, distribution, possession, sale, provision and transportation of industrial hemp.
To further the objectives of the regulations, AMA may issue permits to cultivators, merchants and researchers/breeders with the cultivator’s permit allowing the holder to cultivate, process hemp for marketing purposes or sell hemp produce.
A research or breeding permit allows holders to perform activities related to research and breeding of specified cultivars and varieties while a merchant is permitted to perform activities related to supply, procurement of industrial hemp within Zimbabwe.
Hemp or industrial hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for fiber, grain or CBD Flower
Industrial hemp, according to the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust (ZIHT), the major lobby and advocacy organisation for the legal inclusion of Cannabis in Zimbabwe, has over 2,500 uses and includes paper textiles, clothing, biodegradable, plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food and animal feed.
CBD Flower – health benefits include reducing anxiety, relieving pain and improving sleep.
Hemp grain (seed) – oil for body care products, soaps, shampoo, food (salad oil), paints, hemp oil and (medicinal purposes) while hemp fibre is for paper production, carpeting, home furnishing, construction and auto parts.
