By Thabisa Ndzindzwa
Small-scale cannabis farmers in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape are feeling the pinch of obtaining farming licences.
This is particularly difficult for a 27-year-old farmer who has been involved in the cannabis industry for the past four years.
Originally from Mcobothini, in Lusikisiki, the farmer has managed to find a secluded area where he plants approximately 500 trees of cannabis annually with plans to expand his production.
The farmer requested to remain anonymous for the safety of his business — mainly because he has not obtained a licence yet.
He said he has attended a few information-sharing sessions that were organised by Ingquza Hill Local Municipality to equip farmers about obtaining farming licences.
“Obtaining cannabis farming licences has proven to be more difficult than I thought, but they have promised to come up with a way forward,” he said.
He said another problem is that licences are only issued to cooperatives — and not to individuals.
“My biggest challenge is that most people do not want to be involved in farming, as it is a long-term business because they are looking for a quick profit. So, it is hard to form a co-op (cooperative) with people who are not willing to work,” he said.
He says in the area, it’s hard to form a cooperative with people from outside the community as they are not openly welcome.
However, amid the difficulties, Eastern Cape remains the province with the highest number of cannabis and hemp licences issued in South Africa.
“Ninety-one hemp cultivation licences have been issued to smallholder farmers, the highest number of permits issued in the country,” said Premier Oscar Mabuyane during the recent State of the Province Address.
Another problem faced by the farmers is being found to have criminal records during the vetting process. This is mainly because they had been trading cannabis illegally without a licence.
“Most of our people have criminal records for trading cannabis, and we are looking to appeal from the government so they can be given amnesty so that these SMMEs [Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises] can go back and start actively participating in a legalised environment,” said Mabuyane.
Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Communications Manager, Belwa Capa, said they have not issued any licences as they are in the initial stages of engaging the indigenous farmers.
“We have encountered three problems. Our major producers in the Mantlaneni area have criminal records for illegal trading of cannabis, which we have escalated to the premier,” she said.
Capa said the municipality still needs to identify the breed that farmers will be able to produce. There are different types of cannabis, which also include those used for medicinal and recreational purposes.
Pictured above: Cannabis plantation in Lusikisiki
Image source: Supplied
