Guyana advances plans to develop industrial hemp sector, identifies Regions Six and Ten for cultivation

Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha says the government is moving ahead with plans to establish an industrial hemp industry, with Regions Six and Ten identified as key cultivation zones once processing infrastructure is in place.

Speaking on the development, Mustapha said the newly established Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority is now operational, and a chief executive officer has already been appointed to oversee the emerging sector.

He said interest from international investors is already building, particularly around the establishment of a processing facility that would be required before large-scale cultivation can begin.

“So what we are doing now…is that two regions were identified to plant hemp. Those two regions are Region Six and Region Ten,” Mustapha said. “We have an authority now in place. We have a CEO in place. We already have some interests already been expressed by some companies overseas.”

The minister noted that cultivation cannot move forward until processing capacity is secured, stressing that the two must develop in tandem.

“We are now in discussion with those companies to set up the processing plant,” he said. “I am hoping that that can happen within another three to four months because you can’t plant hemp without a processing plant.”

According to Mustapha, the government has received between three and four expressions of interest from overseas investors and is working toward selecting a suitable partner to advance the project.

The planned industry is being guided by the Industrial Hemp Bill, which was previously tabled in the National Assembly. The legislation provides the legal framework for the cultivation, manufacturing and research of industrial hemp and hemp-based products, as well as the creation of the regulatory authority now in operation.

Industrial hemp, while often confused with marijuana, contains significantly lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

Officials have said the proposed industry could open new opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and exports, while providing additional income streams for farmers and investors as Guyana continues to diversify its economy.