A call has gone out urging rural women in KwaZulu-Natal to embrace dagga farming as a key component of their agricultural activities.
This call was made during a Women’s Day event organised by the African People’s Movement (Apemo) in Newcastle, KZN to fight poverty.
Vikizitha Mlotshwa, the leader of Apemo, said that many rural women have historically used dagga growing to provide financial support for their families, even in the face of challenges posed by law enforcement agencies.
Their efforts were previously marred by law enforcement interventions but he emphasised that times have changed and dagga is no longer criminalised.
Government departments are now issuing licences for its cultivation, transforming it into a viable product for various purposes, including medicinal and commercial use.
“We call upon women to use this commodity plant to uplift themselves and fight poverty,” said Mlotshwa.
“You can trade dagga for medicinal purposes and sell it to prominent pharmaceutical companies.”
KZN has been a significant hub for dagga production, with women often being at the forefront of cultivation.
The decriminalisation of private and personal use of dagga by the Constitutional Court in
2018 marked a pivotal moment, resulting in increased commercial interest and the Department of Agriculture’s formulation of a cannabis master plan to drive the commercialisation of the crop. The plan proposes to organise small growers into licensed groups and provide technical and financial support.
This new direction aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s acknowledgement of the potential for investment and job creation within the cannabis sector.
The economic prospects of dagga cultivation could offer substantial contributions to employment and economic growth.
Pictured above: Women at the Women’s Day event in Newcastle, KZN, where they were urged to prioritise dagga cultivation for economic empowerment
Image source: Supplied
