Vusumuzi Dube
Industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis serve as catalysts for transformative change, with the potential to significantly contribute to the industrialisation agenda, a Cabinet Minister said.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said this at the ground-breaking Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis Field Day held at Thathokuhle Farm Enterprise in Douglasdale, Umguza district, Matabeleland North province which local specialised farmer, Michael Querl, owns.
Both industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis hold transformative potential for Zimbabwe’s agriculture and industry with their diverse applications in textiles, construction, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals.
Through the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), the government has established progressive policies to support their cultivation. Trading as Kutsaga, the Tobacco Research Board (TRB) drives innovation and sustainable practices, ensuring a competitive and resilient hemp and cannabis industry.
The field day highlighted the government’s commitment to diversifying agriculture, empowering smallholder farmers, and fostering agro linkages.
“We gather at a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s agricultural history, as we explore the vast potential of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, crops which are poised to revolutionize not only our agricultural practices but also our industrial and economic landscapes,” Masuka said.
He applauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his bold decision to legalize and initiate the cultivation of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, saying the move has unlocked immense opportunities for local farmers.
Masuka pointed out that industrial hemp and cannabis have the potential to create jobs, generate exports and revenue, and contribute to the nation’s industrialization agenda. While the prospects for the sector are bright, Masuka acknowledged some challenges that need to be addressed.
“Limited access to local seed varieties, high initial capital requirements, and unsold stock due to market gaps are hurdles that we, as a collective, must address. “However, with robust policies, innovative financing solutions, and strong partnerships, I’m confident you will overcome these obstacles,” he said.
Masuka implored local farmers to embrace the opportunity to venture into the sector, describing it as a high-value force with immense potential. He also urged investors to consider Zimbabwe, saying the industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis industry is ripe for investment.
“With international buyers already showing interest and local companies advancing value addition, now is the time to be part of this transformative journey,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, AMA chief executive officer Clever Isaya said to date, 47 farmers are registered under the Statutory Instrument 128 of 2020, which covers industrial hemp, up from 20 in 2020, comprising 23 cultivators, 14 merchants, and 10 breeders.
Isaya also mentioned that they are looking to develop export markets and encouraged farmers to venture into value addition of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis.
“If we look at Zimbabwe, it is one of the few countries that took a bold step to legalize the production of both industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis,” Isaya said.
Globally, the industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis market size was valued at US$7.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD $9.47 billion in 2024 to USD $47.2 billion in 2032, driven by widespread adoption of industrial hemp across multiple use cases.
New Ziana
