South West hemp producers will receive a helping hand after the state government announced it would invest $200,000 in expansion and growth opportunities within the industry.
The Industrial Hemp Grants Scheme will provide individual grants for research into new varieties suitable for WA conditions and opportunities for processing industrial hemp.
Agricultural minister Alannah Mactiernan was in Bunbury on Friday, November 2 for the funding announcement and said commercial hemp was an emerging industry.
“There is immense opportunities in hemp and it is early days in the industry and the time in which government can give a little assistance to help the industry take off,” she said.
The grants can also be used for the development of major infrastructure and to explore market opportunities for industrial hemp products. All projects will need to deliver industry-wide benefits.
“Any expansion of the industry will not only deliver economic benefits but will provide more jobs in regional WA,” she said.
Ms Mactiernan said there was a real opportunity to grow the industry in the South West as there was alot of interest and enthusiasm in the area.
Currently there are hemp growers in Jindong and Margaret River as well Manjimup.
The grant scheme follows the McGowan Government amendments to legislation to allow hemp with a higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, providing more flexibility and certainty for growers earlier this year.
Ms Mactiernan said the government aims to provide a ‘pipeline of possibilities’ for farmers and diversify the agricultural sector.
The Industrial Hemp Grants Scheme will be administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and successful applicants will be required to match the grant dollar for dollar.
Applications close at 5pm on 30 November 2018. Information on how to apply is available on the department’s website agric.wa.gov.au.