What is interesting about the modern cannabis industry in Pakistan
We especially note the rapidly growing interest in the cultivation and processing of industrial crops of industrial hemp shown in 2021 in India, as well as Pakistan, which in the next few years, like China, plan to replace cotton crops with industrial varieties of low-narcotic hemp.
On the pages of the specialized electronic edition of national hemp growers in April 2021, the attention of our dear readers and listeners was focused on the fact that the American “ Panda Biotech” teamed up with a denim manufacturer from Pakistan". The reaction of the country's government is indicative, which, seeing the prospect of the development of the industry, after a few months “launched” a program that became the basis for the development of at least two segments of modern hemp growing - the use of the fibrous part of the plant in pulp and paper production and light industry, as well as the use of the therapeutic properties of the plant . This kind of reaction of government officials in Pakistan testifies not only to the prospects for the development of the hemp industry as a whole, but also once again points to the global segments of modern hemp growing, where the forces and means of poor agrarian states are directed in order to find their niche in the global hemp market.
A senior Pakistani cabinet official took part in the cannabis harvest on Dec. 23 at a gala event marking the implementation of the first phase of the government's new modern cannabis program. Pakistani Minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, which has obtained the right to grow cannabis under a license issued by the Ministry, said that “In line with the Prime Minister’s vision for diversification export, the ministry he heads is taking practical steps to increase the production of hemp, the export of which in a few years will reach five billion dollars. Cultivation and processing of the plant will be carried out in accordance with the new legislation, which will facilitate exports for the rapidly developing branches of modern hemp growing, in particular for the segment using the fibrous component and therapeutic properties of the plant.”
According to the minister, at the initial stage, it is planned to import hemp fiber into the country, from which Pakistan's light industry will produce final products with high added value. In the future, Pakistani enterprises will purchase hemp raw materials from local producers of hemp raw materials.
Fawad Chaudhry, who previously headed the Ministry of Science and Technology and now serves as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, states: “This plant is a masterpiece for modern agriculture. It provides an opportunity for Pakistan to enter the multi-billion dollar global hemp industry.”
Hemp plants harvested by Mr. Faraz were planted in August 2021. During the experiment conducted at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Agricultural University, four varieties of hemp plants were cultivated. The collected hemp raw materials are intended both to use the therapeutic properties of the leaves and inflorescences, and to explore the possibilities of using the fibrous part of the plant for the production of textiles and knitwear, as well as pulp and paper products.
Commentary of the specialists of the Association “Ukrainian Industrial Hemp”
The Cabinet of Ministers of Pakistan regulated the possibilities for industrial cultivation of technical hemp in September 2020. Lobbyists for this kind of regulation in government debates emphasized that opening up the market for drug-free hemp would spur a billion-dollar industry and help meet the demand for hemp fiber, drugs based on drug-free cannabinoids, as well as create entire sectors of the hemp industry capable of manufacture export-oriented products. Lobbying for a decision in the Cabinet of Ministers to allow the cultivation of technical hemp was carried out not only by representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology, but also by the Ministry of Agriculture, Health and the Federal Tax Service. For 2022, it is planned to grow industrial crops of industrial hemp in the following administrative-territorial units of the country: the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (near the city of Peshawar), Punjab (near the cities of Chakwal and Jhelum), the federal capital territory of Islamabad.
I would like to especially note the rapidly growing interest in the cultivation and processing of industrial crops of industrial hemp shown in 2021 in India, as well as Pakistan, which in the next few years, like China, are planning to replace cotton crops with industrial varieties of low-narcotic hemp.