Expert back hemp to replace tobacco and boost Malawi economy

A  South Africa based researcher and managing director of Ikaros Africa Sandro Righini has backed the calls for legalisation of the use of industrial hemp, saying it can boost the country’s economy.

Raghini: Hmep to boost Malawi’s economy
CisaNet says industrial Hemp growing needs to follow proper procedures

He said his company Ikaros Africa is currently registered under Malawi Investment Trade Centre (MITC) as well as Ministry of Agriculture for Hemp productions.

Righini says the company has already invested K380 million in its trial stage of industrial hemp.

“We will be bringing creating jobs economic growth and direct foreign investment. We will also be opening a global market in Malawi which is currently worth $20 billion a year,” he said.

He said Malawi has always relied on tobacco as its main cash crop, but with the majority of the world turning away from cigarettes, causing a rapid decline in demand for tobacco, hemp is becoming the alternative.

“With over 50 years of cumulative experience in the medicinal hemp industry, Ikaros Africa brings their pride and joy to the heart of Malawi,” he said.

Righini said medical Hemp has reliable markets in North America, Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and Poland.

He said the trials are being done at Chitala and Bvumbwe research stations.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society on Agriculture Network (CisaNet) has supported the claim that hep industry can help improve the country’s development.

CisaNet executive director Pamela Kuwali has since cautioned that the systems need to be put in place to prevent abuse of the Hemp substance.

She said the country need to ensure “enough legal provision to seal any loopholes for abuse.”

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Kayira
Kayira
5 years ago

Malawians are very dull and intellectually lazy! This weak economy which has been teetering on the brink of collapse has been dependent on tobacco for the last 50 years. The fact that economic diversification is only talk for the last 50 years is evidence and testament to the pure lack of innovation and creativity in Malawians as a whole. The fact that without the Indians business acumen the economy will collapse is another evidence of the shallowness of Malawians. Now consider rhis: Almost nobody smokes tobacco yet we export it for others to smoke yet we know that is is… Read more »

Zikomankhani
Zikomankhani
5 years ago

The DPP government’s main preoccupation is plunder of public resources. More than four years have gone by with nothing being done on encouraging the diaspora to invest in their home country; nothing has been done on implementing dual citizenship (despite lofty promises before APM assumed power).

Industrial hemp can transform Malawi’s economy; but you can be sure that APM’s second term will end in 2024 without a decision being taken on industrial hemp. It’s the same story with irrigation for the growing of maize…

Napoleon Muza
5 years ago

Wake up Malawi. This is not easy just to legalise hemp as the so called expert are saying. These guys are drug dealers, trading on a registered name, spoiling so many lives of innocent children. The rate of mental health problem is rising high due to some crocked individuals who are flooding markets with drugs like cocaine, hemp/ marijuana/ cannabis which are destroying future generations. Those countries who have taken the step have proper laws , guidelines and procedures in place,. Malawi cannot be forced into it because few individuals want to benefit or to continue enriching themselves.

Spinoza
5 years ago

Za chambazitu zinakambidwa kale ndipo research inayambikanso kale moti apanso yasala pang’ono kumalizidwa. Nde basi wina kumaima pa nsanja nkumayankhula ngati ndi idea yache, kkkkk nkulu ameneyi sazatheka ndithu. Anthu aziti wayambisa ndi iye???

DPP Secretary General
DPP Secretary General
5 years ago
Reply to  Spinoza

Amene amakambawo anachita chiyani. We are talking about implementation of ideas not just talking about them. Bingu talked about building universities and Peter said he will continue from where Bingu left. How much has he succeeded.?

Kalekeni Kanene
Kalekeni Kanene
5 years ago

Chamba ndichoyipa. I f you allow chamba to be legalised ndiye kuti mwapha dziko lanu dala. Azunguwa askunamizeni. Chilima is supporting chamba comwecho according to his speech in Nkhotakota. His leadership is now being questionable especially for the future of our children and our country. Boma lololeza Chamba??? Yakogoya yeleyo.

Izeck
Izeck
5 years ago

ndee yake

okawale
okawale
5 years ago

Tilime zimenezi Basi ..vz,,, up

Dume
Dume
5 years ago
Reply to  okawale

A Malawi kukonda kukhulupilira azungu. Joe Manduwa may have been ahead of his time when he suggested this in parliament. Nobody took him seriously. Also, do not confuse between industrial hemp and chamba. These guys are interested in Chamba. Our Chamba is the best by the way. We are so stupid that we let the azungu get away with seed and they will improve it before our own eyes. We are so stupid its unbelievable sometimes

Kayira
Kayira
5 years ago
Reply to  Dume

We r really stupid!! Very very stupid!!
Just Google Malawi Gold and u will see the Californians taking advantage of our seeds and natural resources. Ignoramuses basi!! We just like stealing and chigololo!

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