First legal hemp harvest in Zimbabwe

Last year, Zimbabwe planted for the first time six varieties of European industrial cannabis on a 10-hectare plot Harare Central Prison.

Preliminary results show that of the six varieties planted, only two developed well due to the rain and high temperatures. The plants also grew and flowered faster than expected.

Mbanje yakarimwa zviri pamutemo kekutanga munyika muno yakatotanga kukohwewa panguva iyo kurimwa kwayo kuri kutorwa sebhizimisi sezvo ichishandiswa mumabasa anosanganisira kugadziriswa mishonga yekurapisa zvirwere zvakasiyana-siyana.@basera_john @WendyMadzura pic.twitter.com/qlhSrhHrud

- MinofLands,Agric,Fisheries,Water&Rural Development (@MoLAFWRD_Zim) February 18, 2020

Cultivation was entrusted to the company Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust (ZIHT). Its founder, Dr. Zorodzai Maroveke, said they were now testing varieties across the country.

«We harvest industrial hemp and so far we've sent tests to the University of Zimbabwe to check its chemical composition,» he explained.

«We are currently in the process of collecting data and testing the European varieties we have planted. We've since realized that performance was very poor on three of the European varieties, and only two performed really well.»

«The next phase now is to take the varieties to other parts of the country and study the varieties in different parts of the country. We're also looking forward to planting and testing native seeds from places like Binga. We recently obtained an agreement from the government to test endemic varieties.»

Dr Maroveke said the data collected would provide vital information for investors jostling for position behind the scenes.

«Testing is very important. It's a new industry, uncharted territory. Many investors are interested in added value and local industry. There are also partners looking at small-scale farming, so there's a need for trials. But by the end of this year, we'll be running commercial trials,» he declared.

Zimbabwe has also approved 37 applications for licenses to produce cannabis for medical or scientific purposes.