Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
An Industrial Hemp Field Day is being held at Disi Farm in Mvurwi on Thursday as the country continues to take a significant step towards diversifying its agricultural and industrial base.
The event, organised by the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust (ZIHT), is showcasing the country’s first commercial industrial hemp fibre and grain trial, marking a major milestone in efforts to establish a viable and sustainable hemp industry.
Stakeholders drawn from across the agricultural sector, including policymakers, investors, researchers, and private-sector players, gathered for the field day to assess the crop’s performance and explore opportunities along the hemp value chain.
The programme began with a guided tour of the trial fields, offering participants first-hand insight into the agronomic characteristics of industrial hemp under Zimbabwean conditions. Technical presentations followed, highlighting findings from the trial and outlining prospects for scaling up production.
ZIHT founder and chief executive officer Dr Zorodzai Maroveke said the field day is a crucial platform for demonstrating the crop’s potential.
“This Field Day is a critical step in demonstrating the viability of industrial hemp in Zimbabwe. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to engage directly with the results and explore how we can collectively grow this industry,” said Dr Maroveke.
Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) chief executive officer, Ms Alice Mapfiza emphasised the importance of regulated market development and structured value chains to support emerging crops such as hemp.
Experts from research and Government institutions also shared insights, including contributions from the Kutsaga Research Institute and officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Water under the Department of Agricultural, Research and Specialist Services.
Industrial hemp, which is distinct from psychoactive cannabis varieties, is increasingly gaining attention globally for its wide range of applications, including fibre for textiles and construction materials, grain for food and stockfeed, and inputs for paper and biodegradable plastics.
ZIHT is spearheading efforts to develop the sector across the full value chain from cultivation and processing to product development and market access with a strong focus on sustainability, climate-smart agriculture and investment promotion.
Today’s field day also served as a platform to court both local and international investors, with organisers highlighting opportunities in production, processing and value addition as Zimbabwe seeks to reduce imports and create jobs.
Participants are expected to engage in networking sessions and strategic discussions aimed at fostering partnerships that will accelerate the growth of the industry.
As Zimbabwe continues to explore high-value alternative crops, industrial hemp is emerging as a promising candidate capable of contributing to economic growth, rural development and environmental sustainability.
The field day is set to conclude this afternoon, with organisers expressing optimism that the insights generated will help shape the future of the country’s industrial hemp sector.
Online Reporter