THE Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) says there is a growing interest in cannabis farming in Zimbabwe for medicinal purposes, but production challenges are slowing the growth of the sector.
AMA chief executive officer Clever Isaya said this during a tour of Thatokuhle Farm in Bulawayo by Agriculture ministry officials on the industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis field day.
“Since the legalisation of industrial hemp in Zimbabwe in 2020, we have witnessed significant growth in the sector,” Isaya said.
“In 2020, there were 21 registered players. This number has more than doubled to the current 47, comprising 23 cultivators, 14 merchants and 10 breeders.”
Isaya said there was a knowledge gap in the sector on issues surrounding production and productivity.
“There are several obstacles that hinder cannabis farming and these include accessibility to local seed,” he said.
Keep Reading
- I don’t have depth: Bosso coach
- Private sector makes inroads into wheat production
- Village Rhapsody: Soaring drug abuse cases worrisome
- Interview: Cottco CEO lays out manufacturing vision
“Limited access to seed has hindered production for many registered growers.
“There are high initial capital requirements, hence the cost of cultivating central business district (CBD) flowers ranges between US$10 000 and US$50 000 per hectare, which is a barrier for many farmers.”
“There are market challenges of unsold CBD oil stock due to off-takers failing to honour obligations which have created setbacks for some farmers.”
Isaya, however, said they expected improvement during the 2024-25 season.
“To date, three firms that include African Medical Biotech, Swiss Bio and Ivory Medical have been registered and are processing hemp into CBD oil,” Isaya said.
“These efforts include the development of the CannaQurebrand, which offers six lines of complementary medicines. Additionally, innovative products such as hemp cigarettes are under consideration.”
In 2018, Zimbabwe licensed the growing of cannabis for medicinal and research purposes, the government said, in a legal notice, making the southern African nation the second country in Africa to legalise cultivation of the plant.
In 2017, Lesotho issued the continent’s first licence to grow cannabis legally.
Until then, it had been illegal to grow, possess or use cannabis in Zimbabwe, with offenders facing up to 12 years in jail.