Cannabis is the key to agricultural transformation in the North West, says provincial agriculture MEC Desbo Mohono. Mohono acknowledged that the recent three-day Lekgotla unlocked many opportunities through commission. These include the distribution of seeds, an education drive and the department’s sharing of knowledge and skills to open the cannabis sector to various stakeholders.
Mohono shared these sentiments at the first hybrid Cannabis Lekgotla recently hosted at North West University, who were key partners in the three-day event.
In her opening remarks Mohono said that the department was reminded that every avenue to create employment and fight poverty must be pursued, allowing businesses to grow, emerge and thrive, while also using the capabilities of the state to create a conducive environment for farmers.
A first of its kind in the North West province, the gathering explored topics including the rollout of the National Cannabis Master Plan and engaging on the economic purpose of commercialisation and development of the herb.
“This is hands on deck indeed and a dream come true for people of the North West province, for they too deserve to benefit from the value chain of this herb,” she said.
She also said that the provincial department of agriculture and rural development stood firm in ensuring that the Cannabis Master Plan finds space in agriculture transformation in the province.
A welcomed wave of change
The Lekgotla was welcomed by various cannabis advocacy groups including the Cannabis Council of South Africa, the Rastafarians formations, traditional leaders, academics, interest groups and individuals as well as farmers.
Mohono added, “As the government, we always appreciate the direct, considered and constructive approach that higher institutions of learning take in responding to the challenges facing our country. That is why we saw it fit to rope in North West University, in particular, looking at their research output, which is amongst the best in the entire country.”
Powerful partnership to pave the way
The hybrid Lekgotla was hosted in collaboration with the North West University where vice chancellor Dr Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka vouched support for the master plan rollout.
“We must all work with government to assist in the review of policy and regulatory framework that will fast-track the industrialisation of hemp and cannabis towards the realisation of economic investment and job creation. The North-West University is ready to contribute towards the implementation of the National Cannabis Master Plan to unlock the economic potential of rural communities,” said Tyobeka.
While Mohono said the Lekgotla unlocked many opportunities through commissions and the education drive.
“Going forward, we will march to our traditional leaders as the department in forging a partnership and making sure that our people in communal land are not left behind the train of this economic hub,” she said.
“The department will also set aside a certain amount of money in making sure that we train our farmers fully about how to be experts in this field. This will be done through roping in experts that we have met in this Lekgotla because we do not want to take a ride with our people’s time,” explained Mohono.
The hybrid Cannabis Lekgotla was an all-hands-on-deck effort that promised to see farmers, agripreneurs and researchers benefit from the herb. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
There is more to cannabis than smoking it, it is a herb of opportunity for those who attended the first ever hybrid Cannabis Lekgotla at the North West University. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
Cannabis farmer Molebogeng Semela. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
The hybrid Cannabis Lekgotla promised to unlock opportunities through commissions and an education drive. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
Thupi Mokhatla is the head of the North West department of agriculture and rural development. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
The wheels of change are rolling and the North West department of agriculture and rural development stands firm on ensuring the Cannabis Master Plan finds space in agriculture transformation in the province. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
Dr Motheo Koitsiwe is an African indigenous researcher, lecturer, a member of the indigenous intellegentsia, cosmologist, and international field marshall who attended the first Cannabis Lekgotla at the NWU Mahikeng Campus. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
Also read: Protesters: ‘Speed up cannabis law reform’
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