“South Africa can generate an estimated R28 billion from cannabis” – Dep. Minister Gina

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina is of the view that the cannabis sector can play a huge role in poverty eradication.

Gina says the cannabis sector has a potential for development for the small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) located in outlying rural areas where poverty is rooted.

Addressing delegates during the Agriculture and Land Summit in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday, Gina said there is a lot of money in the cannabis industry.

“Government estimates that the cultivation and commercialisation of cannabis production in South Africa can generate an estimated R28 billion and could create between 10 000 to 25 000 jobs across the sector,” Gina said per GCIS.

“Focusing on value chains from cultivation and agro-processing to sales will increase benefits and job creation.

“Although Bergville has fertile land for various crops, it has a unique climate that is favourable to the growing of cannabis.

“We are here to nudge you as people of Bergville to focus more in particular on the growing of cannabis, and the agro-processing of cannabis for markets both domestic and abroad.”

The government’s communication and information service said the main purpose of the summit was to identify gaps and explore opportunities in the agricultural sector value chain in KwaZulu-Natal.

The deputy minister, Gina, also noted that the Bergville processing plant in Winterton which was built by the Industrial Development Corporation had challenges that the government and stakeholders were currently trying to resolve for both owners and the communities affected.

 “UKhahlamba and the region of Bergville are sleeping giants in terms of economic prosperity. It is a region full of great history and memorials for tourism,” added Gina.

“Located in the Drakensberg Mountains close to Lesotho and QwaQwa in the Free State, the municipality must use the value proposition of tourism to create local economic development and job creation.

“Our white farmers, with so much experience, are requested to impart skills to the emerging black farmers through hand-holding exercises. It can only be through sharing of experiences and cooperation that we can build the local economy together, especially the agricultural economy.”