In a significant move, the Himachal Pradesh government is on the brink of introducing a proposal to kickstart hemp cultivation in the state. The comprehensive proposal is slated to be presented during the upcoming budget session of the Assembly, marking a significant stride towards economic diversification and sustainable agricultural practices.
The committee, chaired by Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, includes members from the opposition BJP MLAs. To gather insights and explore the feasibility of hemp cultivation, the committee has conducted field visits to Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, where hemp cultivation has shown promise as a viable and lucrative crop.
Hemp, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been gaining traction worldwide for its versatile applications in various industries, including textiles, paper, construction, and medicine. The committee’s focus is on harnessing the economic potential of hemp cultivation while ensuring that it does not contribute to drug addiction issues.
The proposed cultivation is aimed at serving both industrial and medical purposes, aligning with global trends where countries like Israel have legalized cannabis cultivation. In Holland, hemp cultivation is already underway on an experimental basis in select cities.
Read more at thenewshimachal.com