Cannabis: Black farmers to ‘shut down’ regulator
24 March 2021Craft Cannabis TV speaks to the national president of the BFASA on SAHPRA licensing administration
30 March 2021Regular readers of Cannabis Law Report will know that we have highlighted some of the issues facing black farmers in South Africa when it comes to producing compliant products for the international market and the BFASA’s pro-active stance both with SA government bodies and their wish to get their members on a level playing field with some of the white producers plying their trade in SA or at arm’s length in Lesotho and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
The BFASA is now looking to build a model in SA that not only helps their members grow, produce, and process but also educate so they can build a world beating sector in the country.
We would see this as a perfect opportunity for certain players in the US to put their money where their mouth is.
The BFASA is now looking to build a model in SA that not only helps their members grow, produce, and process but also educate so they can build a world beating sector in the country.
We would see this as a perfect opportunity for certain players in the US to put their money where their mouth is.
The BFASA membership is currently about 50 000 strong (47 000 on record with 17 000 active farmers), comprising of Black (as defined in the Constitution) subsistence farmers, farmers on small pieces of land, farmers with a small turnover and smallholder farmers in the Western Cape.
Their focus is on small famers per se rather than specific crops and are involved currently and planned for the future in the following agricultural categories.
Their focus is on small famers per se rather than specific crops and are involved currently and planned for the future in the following agricultural categories.
- Cannabis (including Hemp)
- Wine farming (viticulture)
- Basic vegetables (spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, onions)
- Micro herbs (hydroponics)
- Fish farming
- Pigs
- and eggs
- Cattle
Inward Investment
Education
BFASA will build an Agricultural Technical School on land owned by BFASA in Philadelphia, Western Cape. Here, skills transfer will be taken to a high level to promote commercially sustainable farming methods and food security.Commercial
BFASA is actively engaged in promoting reforms to the legislation governing the cultivation of cannabis and hemp and the inclusion of its members in this emerging economy.We are looking to work with potential investors and buyers in the supply chain at every level to secure “offtake agreements” for the crops and products we will be able to offer in the near term.