Zimbabwe poised to lead cannabis farming industry

Raymond Jaravaza, raymondjaravaza@gmail.com
ZIMBABWE is carving a niche as a global leader in the rapidly rising cannabis industry.
By using research to develop cannabis seed genetics, the country is aiming to reduce production costs and increase export opportunities. This initiative indicates the country’s determination to drive economic development through cannabis farming. The Kutsaga Research Board is taking the lead in cross-breeding cannabis seeds sourced from areas such as Binga, Chimanimani and Chipinge, which are rich in indigenous knowledge of cannabis, with foreign genetics.

By mixing these genetics, the researchers hope to improve the quality of the seeds, reduce the cost of production, and improve adaptability to local conditions.
In 2018, the Government legalised cannabis cultivation for medicinal, industrial and research purposes, and stakeholders from various sectors have since come together to ensure the sector’s success.
These stakeholders include the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), the Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), the Kutsaga Research Board, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, farmers and banks.

Yesterday, these stakeholders toured Thathokuhle Enterprises, a cannabis farm located in Douglasdale suburb on the outskirts of Bulawayo, which is owned by Mr Mike Querl, his wife Ms Kerrie Mitchell, and their business partner Mr Graeme Jansen van Vuuren.
During the visit, Dr Kumbirai Mateva, a scientist at the Kutsaga Research Board, explained the importance of continued research in cannabis seed cross-breeding to introduce foreign genetics to native seeds.
By doing so, the seeds created by the cross-breeding programme should be able to adapt and thrive in the local environment.

“The cost of cannabis seed is currently very high because it is imported so the entities that bring the seed into the country determine how much they charge for it. So, Kutsaga Research Board has started bringing in foreign cannabis seed genetics for research and testing purposes in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mateva.
He said by lowering production costs, the initiative will pave the way for broader participation in cannabis farming by embracing smallholder farmers. This aligns with the Government’s vision of equitable growth and economic transformation.
“Kutsaga Research Board is prioritising the breeding of local genetics by sourcing seeds from places such as Binga, Chimanimani and Chipinge among others where there is a lot of indigenous knowledge on cannabis,” said Dr Mateva.
“After collecting the local genetics, we start the breeding programme to improve the local strains and ultimately get to a point where our local seeds can match what is currently on the market in terms of quality.”
Dr Mateva said the country is well-positioned to become a global leader in cannabis production through continued research and knowledge transfer to farmers, including those contemplating venturing into the industry.
“The ultimate goal is for the country to become a known leader in cannabis farming. France is known for its exotic wines, Ethiopia for its coffee and Zimbabwe can be known globally for its quality cannabis, thereby contributing billions of dollars to the economy,” he said.
“We have some written papers with insights from the research we did in Binga, and these will be helpful in our endeavour to include smallholder farmers in cannabis farming to promote equitable growth.”
Dr Mateva said Zimbabwe’s industrial hemp sector remains underdeveloped, with only seven of the 48 licenced cannabis producers engaged in hemp production. He pointed out its potential in creating eco-friendly building materials and biofuels.
He said hemp can be transformed into impressive, high-end construction materials, which remains an untapped opportunity for Zimbabwe.
“I know it sounds a bit odd that hemp can be transformed into building materials, but that is the reality taking place in some countries where they are using material from the hemp stem and mixing it with what are called binders to make materials to build houses,” said Dr Mateva.
“Zimbabwe stands at the cusp of the cannabis revolution and as Kutsaga Research Board and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, we remain steadfast in leading the charge.”
Dr Mateva said they are guided by leading research, strategic collaborations and farmer empowerment to construct a path that defines their values, heritage and aspirations,
AMA chief executive officer, Mr Clever Isaya, said the target for hemp production for the 2024/25 season is 46,5 hectares.
“We understand that an investor is ready to support 30 to 40 farmers cultivating industrial hemp on one-hectare plots in Nyamandlovu, Douglasdale, and Umzingwane. As part of our market development strategy, AMA will host an Industrial Hemp Symposium in the first quarter of 2025,” he said.
The event will bring together foreign buyers and local farmers to foster collaboration and build market linkages.
Thathokuhle Enterprise owner Mr Querl said weather conditions in the country are ideal for cannabis.
“We have everything in our favour to turn around the industry. The farm was a bushy area a few years ago and we started by venturing into fish farming then steadily got into cannabis farming. All I can say is that with hard work and perseverance, cannabis farming is doable,” he said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the chief director of the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas), Mr Leonard Munamati, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, said there is still room for growth in cannabis production.
He said the Government is aware of challenges in the sector such as the high cost of seeds.
“Industrial hemp and cannabis are not just crops, but catalysts for economic transformation. Their versatility allows them to be used in the pharmaceutical industry, construction sector and biofuels industries.
“They not only create jobs but also generate foreign currency into the economy through exports as well as contributing to the nation’s industrialisation agenda,” he said.