The State government announced more than $250,000 will be invested into WA's key hemp projects last week.
The five projects will be funded in an effort to drive the growth of the Western Australian hemp industry.
The projects, awarded under the Industrial Hemp Grants Scheme, support production, processing, research and export development activities.
The scope of these successful projects shows the huge development potential of the Western Australian hemp industry.
- Alannah MacTiernan, WA Agriculture and Food Minister
While an industry roundtable discussion was held with key stakeholders in Manjimup on Thursday, Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said projects would include research on varieties best suited to different WA regions, establishing industry standards and commissioning a hemp processing facility.
“It’s important for WA to have many irons in the fire - and while hemp won’t compete with wheat, we need diversity of crops and industry in our State,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“The scope of these successful projects shows the huge development potential of the WA hemp industry - from variety acquisition and trialling to local processing and export certification.
“We need to learn more about the best hemp varieties for our regions, build our processing capabilities and develop premium food and other products for international markets - all areas these projects cover.
“These grants will assist businesses to take advantage of major opportunities and overcome barriers to production, processing and marketing across the entire value chain, and support development of this promising, jobs creating industry.”
Successful recipients include the Manypeaks Southern Coastal Seed Hemp Cropping Trial and the WA Hemp Growers Co-op.
