Zimbabwe’s industrial hemp sector is gathering momentum following the launch of a commercial trial in Mvurwi, marking a significant step towards unlocking a potential US$5 billion value chain.
In an interview with the media yesterday, Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust Chief Executive Officer, Dr Zorodzai Maroveke, said the initiative is meant to demonstrate the viability of hemp production while providing practical insights into the sector.
“We are showcasing our first project. It is a commercial trial that we did here at Disi Farm in Mvurwi. It is the first of its kind, and what we want is for stakeholders to appreciate the realities of growing industrial hemp.
“The potential is significant. We have been experimenting with various aspects such as pest control, yields and best practices, which are crucial in building a strong foundation for the industry,” she said.
Dr Maroveke noted that industrial hemp remains a nascent sector in Zimbabwe, still in its early stages of development, and requires collective effort.
“Every industry has its own life cycle, and industrial hemp is still at the beginning. We need a lot of hands on deck and all stakeholders to participate, banks, financiers, investors, farmers, captains of industry and engineers,” she said.
The Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) has also thrown its weight behind the initiative, engaging the private sector to structure financing models for the hemp value chain.
AMA Chief Executive Officer, Alice Mapiza, said the goal is to ensure that hemp becomes an inclusive and widely grown crop across all farming categories.
“We want hemp to grow into a successful crop that is not limited to a select few. Our aim is to expand it from small-scale farmers to large-scale producers.
“AMA is focused on ensuring there is proper coordination from production to processing. We want a clearly outlined industry plan that drives job creation and economic growth,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust has intensified efforts to promote production and processing, with a 10-hectare industrial hemp crop successfully established at Disi Farm. The development signals growing confidence and growing interest in the emerging industry.
The trial, a partnership between the Trust and a local farmer, represents a major milestone in advancing research, development and advocacy initiatives aimed at unlocking the crop’s full economic potential.
Industrial hemp is widely recognised for its versatility, with an estimated 50 000 potential products derived from its fibre, seed and oil.
“We believe the products that will come out of hemp can significantly contribute to job creation in Zimbabwe,” Mapiza added.
For Zimbabwe, immediate opportunities have been identified in paper packaging, woven textiles and construction materials such as bricks.
As the sector continues to take shape, stakeholders say collaboration, coordination and increased investment will be critical in unlocking the full potential of Zimbabwe’s industrial hemp industry, positioning it as a key driver of economic transformation.
