11 December 2024
The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) has announced plans to establish a hemp production incubator, marking a shift in its approach to agricultural innovation in the country.
Speaking at the Glen Valley Horticulture Incubator graduation ceremony recently, LEA acting CEO Godfrey Molefe said the programme would explore the economic potential of industrial hemp while building on the success of LEA’s existing horticulture initiatives.
Molefe described hemp as a crop with “a myriad of possibilities,” highlighting its applications in construction materials like hempcrete, bricks, textiles, and other bio-composites.
He pointed out that hemp production aligns with government initiatives to diversify the economy and reduce unemployment.
“This is an opportunity to address critical socio-economic challenges while driving innovation in agriculture,” he said.
Molefe noted that the proposed hemp production incubator would involve collaboration with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture.
“Our goal is to empower entrepreneurs to harness the full potential of this industry,” Molefe said.
He emphasised that hemp’s economic potential aligns with priorities outlined in President Duma Boko’s State of the Nation Address that recently highlighted the importance of agricultural innovation, reducing the import bill, and creating rural employment opportunities.
“Hemp production offers a lucrative avenue to achieve these goals while addressing pressing socio-economic challenges,” Molefe said.
He urged graduates to expand their ventures to include emerging opportunities like hemp production.
“The successes we have seen in horticulture provide a strong foundation for exploring new areas,” he said.
“Hemp is a lucrative crop that offers a complementary avenue for entrepreneurs to diversify their portfolios.”
While emphasising the importance of hemp, Molefe clarified that the new incubation programme would not replace LEA’s horticulture efforts. Instead, he said it would complement them, allowing farmers and entrepreneurs to explore diversification opportunities.
“Agriculture remains a vital sector for addressing unemployment and stimulating economic growth, and hemp is a natural extension of these efforts,” he said.
The acting CEO further highlighted the broader implications of introducing hemp production in Botswana. With products like hempcrete and hemp fibre pads gaining traction globally, Botswana could position itself as a regional leader in sustainable innovation.
“Hemp’s versatility and sustainability make it a crop of the future. By integrating it into our agricultural sector, we can create jobs, boost exports, and reduce reliance on imports,” he said.
The Glen Valley Horticulture Incubator graduation celebrated the achievements of 13 participants who completed a nine-month programme designed to equip them with skills to manage sustainable horticulture businesses. Since its inception in 2011, the incubator has trained 275 farmers with 40% of the participants actively contributing to the local economy through horticulture production.
The programme has provided participants with land, inputs, and technical support, resources that enable them to grow crops like tomatoes and market them locally. Molefe commended the graduates for their dedication, describing them as “co-builders of Botswana’s economy”.
He reminded the graduates that LEA’s support extends beyond the completion of their training.
“This is not the end of your journey but the beginning of new opportunities,” he said.
“Our doors remain open to assist you in scaling your enterprises and exploring ventures like hemp production.”
Source: https://www.mmegi.bw/business/lea-eyes-hemp-production-incubator/news
