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In Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, the government recently announced it will issue permits to allow the cultivation of hemp in the region. The announcement follows the recent reforms elsewhere in the country which are already leading to serious investments.

A government spokesperson, Srikant Sharma, told Indian media the introduction of hemp growing could help improve farmers income. According to the decision, farmers will be allowed cultivate hemp under the supervision of the Excise Department. The UP government has committed to doubling the income of farmers by 2022 and hemp is part of the plan to achieve this.

Things moving in Uttarakhand

The move follows the lead of Uttarakhand, which last year became the first state in India to allow farmers to grow hemp. Uttarakhand, which is also located in northern India, borders Nepal and China and officials in the region believe hemp has the potential to revive Indian agriculture and create numerous jobs.

Now the Uttarakhand region now set for serious investment in the hemp industry which could significantly impact the state. The Indian Industrial Hemp Association (IIHA) recently announced an investment of Rs 1,100 crores (about $150 million) for expanding hemp cultivation, research, and other initiatives to grow the industry in Uttarakhand.

Investors sizing up India

UP and other Indian states which are eyeing legal hemp cultivation will look upon such investment opportunities in envy. Aside from the IIHA its believed other investors are also currently looking at putting capital into the Indian hemp industry.

Despite having a long and storied history with the plant it is only now that legal hemp cultivation is gaining traction in India. Given the size of the country, its history with the plant, and its emerging economy its quite possible hemp can play a serious role in improving lives in the region.



Want to learn more about the Indian hemp industry? Join HempToday in Nepal for the Asian Hemp Summit in February 1-2, 2019.