An example of the attitude to industrial hemp of agricultural states, on the example of Fiji
Government officials plan to amend the current legislation on modern cannabis production only after conducting appropriate research and based on the results obtained during the implementation of a pilot project conducted in conjunction with foreign experts.
Government officials of the Republic of Fiji are active supporters of the commercialization of various sectors of the hemp industry related to the cultivation, processing, and sale of goods made from low-drug hemp. For example, during the opening of the regular session of the country's parliament, Fijian President Viliame Katonivere announced in November 2021 that the government would submit for consideration during the next legislative session a number of bills related to the development of modern cannabis farming. Among other things, a regulatory and legal act will be initiated for the adoption of the cultivation of plants, the creation of capacities for the primary and deep processing of hemp raw materials, the creation of final product samples, as well as the organization of an effective sales system.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Vinesh Kumar claims that the employees of the structural unit subordinate to him are already working on the implementation of a number of projects related to the development of modern cannabis breeding in the Republic. In particular, they have already carried out the research and consultations with stakeholders necessary for the “launch” of the industry. The department headed by Mr. Kumar plans to start work with a pilot project and has already identified a foreign partner to start work. According to Dr. Kumar, “Industrial hemp is different from the medicinal plant species. There is a fundamental difference between the two varieties of the same crop, so we are not going to pursue medical hemp as it contains a significant amount of globally controlled tetrahydrocannabinol. ”
Commentary of the specialists of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"
Located in the South Pacific, the Republic of Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands. Fiji has a population of about 896,000 and although it is one of the most developed island countries in the Pacific, it still has a large agricultural sector and is heavily dependent on this sector for budgeting. The Government of the Republic is considering various ways to diversify the mechanisms for filling the country's budget, including through the creation of closed chains for the production of various kinds of hemp products.
In contrast to economically developed countries, which in modern cannabis breeding are mainly focused on the use of the latest technologies that make it possible to obtain products with high added value (pharmacology, production of biocomposite materials, etc.), government officials of the Republic of Fiji at the initial stage are betting on creating end products, as well as an effective sales system. They understand the need not only to "launch" this sector of the economy in the country, but also the expediency at the initial stage of conquering their niche in the global hemp market. We especially focus on the fact that government officials plan to amend the current legislation regarding modern cannabis farming only after conducting appropriate research and on the basis of the results obtained during the implementation of a pilot project conducted jointly with foreign specialists.