Hemp is often promoted as a game-changing crop for South Africa’s rural economy, but farmers in KwaZulu-Natal tell a different story. ARC agricultural economists Lesiba Pertunia Mailula, Noluthando Ngcobo, Blessing Zitha and Siphe Zantsi explain the mistrust, fear, and realities behind the resistance.
In recent years, hemp has been promoted as a new opportunity for South Africa’s rural economy. It is often described as a legal, sustainable crop that can create jobs and support smallholder farmers.
On paper, hemp appears to offer a solution to poverty and unemployment in rural areas. However, field experiences show that this promise does not always reflect realities on the ground.
During a recent data collection in rural KwaZulu-Natal, the research team encountered strong resistance from farmers in one of the communities they visited. Instead of interest or willingness to participate in the study, many farmers openly rejected the idea of hemp.
Some refused to engage with the team, while others reacted with anger and suspicion. A few made joking but threatening remarks, making it clear that their presence was unwelcome.
Cannabis as a livelihood
For many farmers in this area, cannabis cultivation is not a new or temporary activity. It is a long-standing livelihood that has supported households for generations. In areas with limited employment opportunities and low returns from traditional crops, cannabis has played a central role in household survival.
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Income from cannabis has helped families buy food, pay school fees and meet daily needs. However, this livelihood has also been shaped by violence and loss. Farmers spoke about conflicts linked to cannabis production, including incidents where people were killed. Others mentioned relatives and community members who were arrested and remain in prison.
These experiences have created deep fear and trauma that continue to influence how communities respond to anything related to cannabis.
Why hemp feels like a threat
Despite being legal, hemp is not viewed as an opportunity by many farmers. Instead, it is seen as a threat to an existing way of life.
Farmers believe that hemp is being introduced to replace small-scale cannabis farmers with commercial producers who have more resources and better access to markets. From their perspective, the government is not offering support but is taking control of a crop they have cultivated for decades. Hemp is associated with permits, regulations, inspections and uncertainty.
Cannabis, although illegal, is familiar and already connected to established markets. For farmers who have survived for years under difficult conditions, the risks associated with hemp feel greater than its potential benefits.
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Mistrust, fear and silence
A deep mistrust of government officials, researchers and institutions also shapes farmers’ resistance. Years of criminalisation have taught communities to be cautious of outsiders asking questions.
Some farmers fear that participating in research could expose them to law enforcement or future targeting. Others feel that researchers come, collect information and leave without improving local conditions.
This mistrust explains why some farmers choose silence over engagement. Their reactions are not random or irrational but are rooted in lived experience and a need for self-protection.
What this means for hemp policy
The experience in rural KwaZulu-Natal highlights a gap between policy ambitions and community realities. Resistance to hemp does not come from ignorance or unwillingness to change. Instead, it reflects historical exclusion, unresolved trauma and fear of losing livelihoods.
If hemp is to become a truly inclusive agricultural opportunity, policymakers must start by listening to the people most affected. Recognising existing cannabis livelihoods, addressing mistrust and creating fair transition pathways are essential.
Without this, hemp will remain a symbol of exclusion rather than an opportunity for many rural farmers.
- Lesiba Pertunia Mailula, Noluthando Ngcobo, Blessing Zitha and Siphe Zantsi are agricultural economists from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Food For Mzansi.
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