Zimbabwe is pushing its weed industry past basic farming after Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka checked out a Bulawayo operation run by Mike Querl at Thathokuhle Farm. The government wants growers to stop selling raw flower and start making oils, extracts, medical formulations, and industrial products instead, since that is where the actual money sits in a global market projected to hit over 200 billion by 2033.
Masuka told license holders they need to build processing facilities and partner with experienced players from places like South Africa to learn extraction techniques. He warned that dumping raw cannabis leaves, farmers getting wrecked by middlemen, and volatile pricing, while refined products pull way better returns. The minister chairs a working group with various agencies to build regulatory frameworks and wants established farmers to set up training programs for younger growers.
The push fits into Vision 2030 goals for agricultural beneficiation, and experts say the country has perfect growing conditions year-round but needs to focus on manufacturing rather than just cultivation if it wants to compete seriously in pharmaceutical and wellness export markets.
Masuka told license holders they need to build processing facilities and partner with experienced players from places like South Africa to learn extraction techniques. He warned that dumping raw cannabis leaves, farmers getting wrecked by middlemen, and volatile pricing, while refined products pull way better returns. The minister chairs a working group with various agencies to build regulatory frameworks and wants established farmers to set up training programs for younger growers.
The push fits into Vision 2030 goals for agricultural beneficiation, and experts say the country has perfect growing conditions year-round but needs to focus on manufacturing rather than just cultivation if it wants to compete seriously in pharmaceutical and wellness export markets.
