Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Agricultural Advisors learn about growth and development of different hemp cultivars and fibers, 9 May

As part of preparing the province for large-scale commercial hemp production, the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform will expose its Agricultural Advisors to growth and development of different hemp cultivars and fibers at the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Addo Research Station tomorrow morning.

This session follows hot on the heels of a recent announcement of Medigrow as a new cannabis and hemp investor at the Coega SEZ by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and MEC Nonkqubela Pieters.

During tomorrow’s session, DRDAR Agricultural Advisors will be given information from the research trials conducted by the ARC focusing on the different strengths of the fibre from each of the five hemp cultivars that are part of their research trials in Addo.

The team will also be taken to the Natural Fiber Hub processing plant at the Coega SEZ where hemp harvested hemp is being processed to extract fibre. This exposure will allow Agricultural Advisors to be able to understand the production of Hemp from the seed to the filed, processing plant and to the market, know the best hemp cultivars that can be produced in the Eastern Cape, how they are harvested so that they can better support farmers that will participate in commercial hemp production.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event and details are as follows: 
Date: 09 May 2024
Time: 10:00
Venue: Addo Research Station

For more information, please contact: 
Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha
DRDAR: Chief Director Communications and Customer Care
Cell: 082 955 8833