The Potchefstroom College of Agriculture hosted a Hemp Planting Day at the ARC Fields on the Agricultural College grounds on Tuesday, 12 December.

The Potch College of Agriculture planted hemp this week as part of a pilot project, together with Starke Ayres, who provided two bags of seeds for the planting process. This project falls under the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Research Programme.

A group of interested individuals from across the North West attended this planting day to gain extra information on hemp and how it can be planted and cultivated.

Hemp was planted with low and high density spacing with attendees getting their hands dirty during the planting process.

Hemp is a new industry in South Africa, and currently needs more development. This project gives an opportunity to get first-hand experience and exposure of the plant for future purposes.

Hemp was declared as an agricultural crop in October 2021, under the Plant Improvement Act No.53 of 1976. Farmers, researchers and manufacturers need hemp permits for them to grow this plant.

See the photos here: