TNR News Network
Shimla
In a landmark move to reshape Himachal Pradesh’s economic future and realize the vision of a self-reliant state by 2027, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has unveiled the transformative “Green to Gold” initiative. The policy legalizes and regulates the cultivation of industrial hemp, aiming to shift the narrative from illicit trade to global leadership in the bio-economy.
Hemp as a Global Resource
For decades, cannabis has grown wild across the valleys of Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba, often linked to the illegal drug trade. Sukhu emphasized that the plant will now be recognized for its medicinal properties—particularly in pain management and inflammation—as well as its industrial applications in textiles, paper, packaging, cosmetics, biofuels, and advanced bioplastics.
“With proper regulation and awareness, hemp can become a key driver of eco-friendly industrial development, especially in hill and rural economies like Himachal Pradesh,” Sukhu said.
Strict Regulation
A cornerstone of the policy is the mandate that all industrial hemp cultivated in Himachal must maintain THC content below 0.3 percent, ensuring the crop remains non-intoxicating and unsuitable for misuse. This threshold preserves hemp’s superior qualities for producing high-quality fiber and seeds.
Following the Cabinet’s decision on January 24, 2025, a pilot project for controlled cultivation is set to begin. Sukhu noted that many farmers are abandoning traditional crops due to wildlife damage, particularly from monkeys, leaving them with little income. Hemp cultivation, he said, offers a strategic alternative—replacing the plant’s “narcotic” image with a “resource” identity.
Projections suggest regulated cultivation could generate ₹1,000–2,000 crore annually once fully scaled, capturing markets currently dominated by the black economy and international imports, especially in pharmaceuticals and wellness.
Sustainable Agriculture
Beyond revenue, Sukhu highlighted hemp’s sustainability: it requires 50 percent less water than cotton, thrives in marginal soils, and is climate-resilient. Institutions such as CSK HPKV Palampur and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni are conducting pilot studies to develop high-yield, low-THC seed varieties suited to the Himalayan climate.
Committee Recommendations
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, chair of the state-level committee, along with MLAs, visited Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh to study controlled cannabis cultivation. Their report, tabled and accepted in the Himachal Assembly, recommended regulated cultivation for industrial, scientific, and medicinal purposes.
Vision for a Hemp Hub
Sukhu outlined a broader vision to position Himachal as a hub for “Hempcrete”—a carbon-negative construction material—as well as specialized textiles and Ayurvedic medicines. “By fostering this new sector, the government seeks to make Himachal the most prosperous state by 2032, while creating a new ecosystem for startups and youth employment,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment, Sukhu stressed that the government is not promoting addiction but building a modern industry. “This initiative ensures that the state’s natural wealth benefits local farmers and the public treasury, rather than illicit networks,” he concluded.
