India: first state authorized to grow hemp (legally)

Uttarakhand, a state in India, has just granted all the necessary permits to legally cultivate hemp.

A First in India

Ever since India banned cannabis at the federal level in 1985, the cultivation of industrial hemp has been technically permitted, but no licenses had been issued. Last Tuesday, the state of Uttarakhand finally authorized the IIAH (Indian Industrial Hemp Association) to cultivate industrial hemp.

The IIAH, a nonprofit organization, has been advocating in particular for the cultivation of hemp, which is rich in fiber and nutrients. It now plans to cultivate nearly 10,000 hectares of hemp for the textile industry and intends to establish a seed bank. According to the association’s president, Rohit Sharma, «the crops will be planted at high altitudes in villages in the Pauri Garhwal region.»

A wonderful opportunity

In Uttarakhand, the cultivation of traditional crops such as rice is complicated by drought, the terrain, and wild animals that devour the fields. Cannabis is therefore a viable crop, with relatively low water requirements and good adaptability to the terrain.

The venture is also proving profitable—so much so that the state government hopes to expand the operation to 100,000 hectares. This crop could yield 3.75 lakh per hectare, or €4,680.

«Five years ago, when we started working on industrial hemp, we tried to understand why India isn’t trying to capitalize on this 1,000 billion industry, unlike advanced economies such as Europe, North America, or even China,» explains Sharma.

Some time ago, Indian lawmakers launched a proposal to legalize medical cannabis at the federal level. The vote has not yet taken place.