The future is hemp, says MEC
KZN launches hemp programme to support local farmers.
KZN MEC for Agriculture & Rural Development, Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, officially declared the 2026/27 hemp planting season open last week.
This follows Madlopha-Mthethwa’s recent announcement of the department’s ‘Hemp Seed Multiplication Programme’.
According to Madlopha-Mthethwa, the launch of the programme is a major step toward the National Cannabis/Hemp Master Plan approved by Cabinet in 2021, which identified hemp as a strategic crop for economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.
“KwaZulu-Natal is one of only three provinces with high potential for hemp production,” said Madlopha-Mthethwa, describing hemp production as a game-changer for the provincial economy.
Hemp plants can produce over 25,000 products that include food, oil, animal feed, clothing, construction material, biodegradable plastics, paper, cosmetics and medicine.
The crop is already used globally by major manufacturers, including automotive companies, for fibre production.
“Hemp is a multi-billion rand industry. This is about moving our farmers from subsistence to commercial, high-value agriculture and unlocking new value chains for our youth and women,” explained Madlopha-Mthethwa.
Department supports farmers with permits and training
To address challenges faced by farmers, Madlopha-Mthethwa said the department has assisted farmers to obtain legal hemp permits.
“To date, 500 permits have been issued across all 11 districts, with district co-ordinators and farmers trained on compliance requirements where THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) must remain below 0.2 per cent,” she said.
The Hemp Seed Multiplication Programme will produce clean, certified, low-THC seed locally in KZN, ensuring seed security, reducing costs, guaranteeing legal compliance and improving yields.
Madlopha-Mthethwa added that the department is linking the permit holders to processors through off-take agreements to ensure sustainable markets.
“This is how we take our people out of poverty by practical programmes that give them the tools to farm commercially. The future of farming is here. The future is hemp,” she said.
Hemp grower Thobekile Mbotho from Umshikilane Traders – who owns 50 hectares of land with nine other people, with five hectares already cultivated with hemp – said the hemp permit application process was easy.
“I received my permit after getting assistance from our agricultural advisors, which was an easy process, and the training also helped us to know what exactly we are into and the benefits thereof,” said Mbotho.
Farmers who wish to participate are urged to visit their nearest Department of Agriculture office, where extension officers will assist with permit applications free of charge.
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