Over half of South Africa’s hemp farmers have a ‘knowledge deficit’ and the supply of hemp seeds remains problematic. That’s the view of Dr Tshepo Lechaba of the University of Tshwane who recently completed a study aimed at identifying the training gaps facing the hemp industry.
He says the fledgling hemp industry is suffering from a ‘fragmentation’ problem and until this is sorted out, South Africa risks squandering the opportunities the new sector holds.
Lechaba presented his findings to the CannaConference in Johannesburg on 28 May 2025, as reported by MMJDaily on 28 May 2025.
He said 51% of South African hemp growers reported a clear need for training in core areas like irrigation, pest management, and nutrient use. And these aren’t agricultural novices, he is talking about – they’re experienced growers who’ve worked with other crops previously.
“We were shocked to find that access to seed was still a major problem,” he noted. “That, and a lack of knowledge about cultivation and processing techniques. We are talking not only about beginners, but also a lot of professional growers with experience in other crops that have been struggling with hemp cultivation.”
That’s partly because hemp is tightly regulated, and also highly sensitive to factors like climate, nutrient load, and especially THC thresholds.
Dr Lechaba said hemp was still being grown like a “mystery plant” and that without standard cultivation practices, growers could not ensure consistency
“You can’t just put something in the ground and expect it to pop out” he said.
“Because of the differences between cannabis and hemp, there’s no uniformity in how people grow the crop,” Lechaba said. “We felt we had to conduct a study on how we can help farmers standardize cultivation, because harmonization across the board is key, from crop testing to harvesting to processing.”
Dr. Lechaba joined the Tshwane University of Technology under Prof. David Katerere to work on biotech advancement in Africa. The cannabis angle is part of a wider research platform that also includes nutraceuticals, traditional medicine, and mushroom cultivation, all feeding into pharma-grade standardization efforts. For hemp, that means developing structured marketing plans, building out R&D, and, crucially, training farmers.
Influencing policy through agronomy
This isn’t just about better farming, it’s about policy influence. Lechaba argues that without cultivation standards, the industry lacks the leverage to shape regulation. “If we have a segmented system, we’re not in a position to influence policymakers. But if we train growers, improve yields, and collect reliable data, we can speak to government with one voice.”
If the research shows anything, it’s that the hemp sector doesn’t just need agronomists, it needs collaborators. Lechaba’s team is currently working with Tshwane Business School to develop training programs not only for cultivation, but also for extraction techniques and business management.
“This is a value chain problem,” he emphasized. “It’s not just about what happens in the field. We need to think about what happens after the harvest, and how growers can turn this into a sustainable business.”
In other words, one of the main takeaways Dr. Lechaba’s presentation at Canna Connect 2025 is that South Africa’s hemp growers aren’t lacking in enthusiasm, but they are lacking a roadmap. With the right training, better seed access, and a little help navigating the post-harvest minefield, the country could go from fragmented to harmonized.
“Hemp is not just the next big crop, it’s the next big opportunity. But only if we get it right.”
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