President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government yesterday
approved the production of industrial hemp to be used to source for foreign
currency and produce fuel.
Briefing the media after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting,
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the benefits of the industrial hemp
included production of building products, textiles, paper and plastics from
hemp fibre; processing of fuel from hemp seed, while the crop can substitute
tobacco as the biggest foreign currency earner.
“Hemp is bio-degradable, compostable, recyclable, non-toxic
and capable of carbon sequestration and hence, reduces global warming effects;
and industrial hemp will widen the country’s industrial and export base,”
Mutsvangwa said.
“Currently, Zimbabwe, through Statutory Instrument 62 of
2018, only allows for the cultivation and processing of cannabis specifically
for medicinal and scientific purposes. In view of the foregoing, the law
governing the use and control of hemp in the country will be repealed to
reflect the current industrial thrust of the country.”
More than a decade ago, Zimbabwe launched an ambitious
jatropha biodiesel project when the country was faced with biting fuel
shortages, but the project suffered a stillbirth.
Cabinet also revealed that it had concluded a power import
bill with Eskom of South Africa to ease the power shortages back home.
“Cabinet was informed by the Minister of Energy and Power
Development that an arrangement to unlock the supply of 400 megawatts has been
concluded with Eskom.
In terms of this arrangement, government, through Treasury,
has commenced the payment of US$890 000 per week towards the settlement of its
debt to Eskom,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Furthermore, similar discussions will soon commence with
HCB of Mozambique. Regarding fuel supply, Cabinet was informed that the
situation had slightly improved during the week under review. The Minister of
Energy and Power Development also advised Cabinet that the fuel supply
situation was expected to improve even further within the next few days, on the
back of the funding arrangements currently under active consideration.” Newsday
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