PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Nov 28, CMC – The Suriname government has approved 100 greenhouses for agricultural hemp production underscoring its importance to the future economic development of the country.
“This offers Suriname the opportunity to diversify agriculture,” said Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Minister Parmanand Sewdien, adding that there should be no hesitation in calling in foreign expertise to help Suriname in this regard.
Hemp is a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It is used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products, including rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation, and biofuel.
Speaking at the opening of a seminar on the hemp industry , President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said he believes that the industry should also be given a chance to develop in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country insisting that Suriname must be developed in a sustainable way.
He told the seminar that diversification of the economy is necessary, with multiple sectors providing income and that the hemp industry, which is developing in the world, can also provide balance in the country’s development strategy in Suriname.
He is also urging investors to get involved in the hemp industry, adding that they will have to be properly guided by law.
He said a process must also be initiated to process applications and/or already issued permits correctly, in accordance with legal provisions. President Santokhi called for expeditipus establishemment of the National Institute for Industrial Hemp Cultivation in Suriname.
The aim of the seminar was to provide stakeholders with insight into the opportunities and challenges of a hemp industry in Suriname and the steps needed to implement the Industrial Hemp Cultivation Act.
President Santokhi said that Suriname, with its vast and fertile lands, has the potential for cultivation and that the focus should also be on the end products that can be developed locally instead of just exporting the raw materials.
H said he is convinced that the hemp industry will contribute to the economy with its income, while acknowledging that there is a lot of disinformation reharding the industry.
He said the presidential commission on the Conditions and Implementation of the Industrial Hemp Cultivation Act will have to work on eliminating any remaining ambiguities, while clarifying the opportunities within the industry.
The Commission chairman Rakieb Khudabux, says that hemp cultivation is new to Suriname, but with the adoption of the law, Suriname is one step ahead of the region.
“There is a huge demand for industrial hemp in the world and we must be able to respond to that,” Khudabux said, adding that by sharing knowledge and experiences, the way is paved for sustainable implementation.
CMC/ah/r/2024