Walter Sisulu University has formed a partnership with the Eastern Cape Hemp Producers Association in its initiative to produce groundbreaking research on hemp.

Hemp seeds also known as industrial hemp, come from the Cannabis sativa plant, but do not produce a mind-altering effect.

Principal Researcher, Professor Adebola Oyedeji, said, “The hemp project started in 2019 but we were struggling to get a permit to carry the project until COVID-19 came through and we had to pause everything.”

Oyedeji further added that they were introduced to the association during COVID-19 but were only able to meet and discuss a way forward when the lockdown restrictions were eased.

As part of their transformative community engagement strategic goal, the university has partnered with this Komga based association to address the majority of community needs through hemp products.

These small, brown seeds are rich in protein, fibre, and healthful fatty acids, including omega-3s and omega-6s. They have antioxidant effects and may reduce symptoms of numerous ailments, improving the health of the heart, skin, and joints.

“I applied for the NRF funding for rated researchers and in December 2021 we received it. The funding is for three years and it is mainly for the cannabis research. So now we have the funding and the permit and that means we are ready to start.”

Through her research in cannabis, Oyedeji is now also a member of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform steering committee in the Eastern Cape, where they look at other agricultural research going on.

MEC for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform,  Nonkqubela Pieters in her Budget and Policy speech mentioned that the Eastern Cape hemp farmers will be supported through cultivation, research and development, and commercialisation. The farmers will be supported with a sum of R10 million.

Secretary for the Eastern Cape Hemp Producers Association, Nomathamsanqa Madliwa, said, “I was introduced by a friend of mine to Prof Oyedeji that she does research in cannabis and does not have the permit to produce and I had the permit but had nowhere to test the produce, that is when the collaboration started.”

Madliwa further added that they met for the first time in November 2021 with the WSU team and that is when they discussed how they would work together.

These partners have now signed their Memorandum of Understanding and ready to start with the work as they have both the permit and funds to carry out the research.

By Anita Roji