The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure and Tanyaradzwa Mujati
GOVERNMENT is conducting research to come up with certified varieties of industrial hemp appropriate for local climatic and environmental conditions in a bid to intensify production of the plant which has diverse uses in the textile, pharmaceutical, cosmetology, food and beverage industries.
Industrial hemp was legalised for commercial production in 2019, with the long-term goal being to make it a major foreign currency earner, just like tobacco.
However, the cultivation, possession and use of recreational cannabis is still illegal in Zimbabwe.
A permit is required for one to lawfully cultivate, possess, sell, supply or export industrial hemp.
A farmer needs to pay a licence fee of US$10 000 to be granted the permit.
The Tobacco Research Board (TRB) is currently conducting research to establish which foreign varieties of industrial hemp can thrive under local climatic conditions or can improve by cross-breeding.
About 12 varieties have been imported to establish which ones can be produced in Zimbabwe, especially considering they were imported from countries with longer days than Zimbabwe.
TRB is also studying locally available hemp varieties to see if their genetics can be adapted for fibre, oil and medicinal use.
Manicaland has three farmers licenced to grow industrial hemp.
Messrs Leon Notier and Robert House of Turnip Holdings are operating at Lone Kop Farm in Headlands on a lease.
They planted 10 hectares of industrial hemp in September 2020 after being granted a permit to grow, process and sell the product in line with Statutory Instrument 128/20 Agricultural Marketing Authority (Industrial Hemp).
Mr Mike Nyabadza of Moresta Farm in Headlands is also setting up a two-hectare greenhouse for industrial hemp.
TRB regional sales agronomist (Manicaland), Mr Itai Mazhangare said only registered farmers are allowed to cultivate industrial hemp whose seeds are used to make oil.
Its flowers have medicinal properties while its stem is used in the textile industry.
“The local breeders are still conducting research on the imported varieties of industrial hemp to come up with the best varieties that suit local climatic and environmental conditions. So far, we have imported varieties whose performance we are still studying to establish their yield so that we see the type of diseases and pests that attack them. We will then start having our own varieties through crossing breeding.
“It is not sustainable for us to rely on imported hemp varieties given the costs involved. We are getting these varieties from countries that have their own certified seeds and we need to follow suit. We have to compare these varieties and see if their behaviour gives us what we are looking for.
“Industrial hemp does not need much water, therefore it can be grown in all our ecological regions. This necessitated the decision to embark on a research project to establish the best variety to grow in the country and also to look at the agronomic practices that work well with growing industrial hemp locally,” he said.
Mr Mazhangare added: “This also includes looking at locally available varieties. We also need to research on them and see how they perform and if they have the potential to give use what we want. We need to assess the quantities we get from both imported and local varieties before a final decision is made on which varieties to use for local commercial production.”
Mr Mazhangare said industrial hemp cultivation requires high levels of discipline, adding that adequate security measures must be put in place by permit holders, while standard operating procedures must be followed during the entire process.
Industrial hemp has more than 2 500 uses, but Zimbabwe is mainly focusing on three — medicinal (flowers), fibre (stem) and oil (seed).
Chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust, Dr Zorodzai Tanaka Maroveke said despite its huge potential estimated at US$4 billion, the hemp sector is still characterised by misinformation, lack of funding, lack of local expertise and an unstable market.
“The industry is still in its infancy and there is a lot of misinformation. Those who have started cultivating it are learning as they go. This includes information on markets and where to get different inputs. The markets are unstable, unguaranteed and not well developed. We require market development, policy development, research and development.
“The hemp industry market size is valued at about USD$4 billion, which is a lot of potential that we can tap into. As it stands, most industrial hemp in the country is being grown for the cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical found in the flowers, for the export market. However, some local organisations have started processing the flower for medicinal CBD oil. In terms of fibre and grain, processing is mostly at research and development stage,” she said.
Dr Mavoreke said hemp also has many medicinal benefits as it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system in a positive manner.
“It is widely known to help in dealing with cancer, chronic pain, seizures and glaucoma, among other conditions.
“The psycho-active properties of cannabis come from another component known as tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), which is what cannabis is mostly associated with. The ‘high’ has been a big challenge as it overshadows the many medicinal benefits of cannabis,” she said.
She said industrial hemp has many advantages and has the potential to overtake tobacco as the country’s highest foreign currency earner.
“The aim is to contribute towards an increase in foreign revenue generation. Industrial hemp thrives in hot and humid weather conditions and with the increase in temperatures due to climate change, hemp will still flourish, although there may be need to supplement water to mitigate against climate change induced droughts,” said Dr Mavoreke.
Hemp is also a more environmentally friendly crop as it does not require firewood or coal for curing.
Therefore in addition to the monetary value of industrial hemp, the crop will also will help in combating environmental degradation.
