DURBAN - The SA Farmers Development Association (Safda) has welcomed the appointment of a provincial cannabis committee, which was approved by the KwaZulu-Natal cabinet on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the government said the committee would be responsible for growing the cannabis/hemp industry through ensuring adherence to regulatory systems, seed supply systems, research, and technology development.
It will also drive sustainable producer systems, market development, supplier development systems, manufacturing and product development, education and training, communication, and awareness.
The government also said the committee would oversee the development of the industry in the province.
Premier Sihle Zikalala said the new industry was a new frontier of economic development, adding that it has the potential to create a R28 billion turnover, with an estimated creation of 10 000 to 20 000 job opportunities across the value chain.
Reacting to the news, the Safda, which mainly supports black farmers, welcomed the step taken by the government to ensure that the cannabis industry was developed.
Safda chief executive officer Dr Siyabonga Dlamini said after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the development of the industry in his State of the Nation Address last month his organisation started discussing it with farmers, saying the address gave his organisation a brainwave to pursue this opportunity.
“We are actively looking for opportunities for our farmers to diversify in various agricultural enterprises to support their long-term sustainability.
“Fundamental to transformational development programmes and projects that Safda is pursuing for our farmers is to reduce their input costs and increase their revenue streams.
“Agricultural diversification directly speaks to increasing the revenue streams for our black farmers to participate in new agricultural commodities and add value,” said Dlamini.
He said it was very encouraging for Safda and urged the government to provide financial support for black farmers to enter into these new agri-industrial diversification opportunities and to grow the local rural economies of South Africa.
Dlamini said hemp was being cultivated in many countries, including China, Canada, Russia, the US, and several European countries, saying in these countries hemp was utilised for a variety of purposes.
He said hemp is used in thousands of consumer products such as hemp apparel including clothing, shoes, nappies and accessories to houseware and hempseed oil cosmetics, rope, canvas, cellophane, paints, fuels, chain lubricants, to biodegradable plastics, paper, fibreboard, cement blocks, food and soap.
“As you can see that if our black farmers are given an opportunity and support to grow cannabis/hemp, there are new markets that could be accessed, both locally and for export.
“The hemp plant requires a mild, temperate climate and an annual rainfall or irrigation of at least 500 to 700mm. Hemp becomes ready for harvest in 120 days (just 4 months) after planting.
“This is an excellent opportunity, to grow this crop, for our farmers as a complementary crop or even as an anchor crop for our farmers especially if the government is supporting the regulatory and value chain establishment in South Africa.”
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