The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to set up a committee to promote growing of hemp as a new economic plant on high land , as proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Board, deputy government spokesman Vachara Kannikar said.
Mr Vachara said the NESDB submitted a proposal for planting and growing hemp on high land from 2009-2013 to the cabinet. The plant was already being grown by various royal projects aimed at generating supplementary income for farmers.
The NESDB had concluded that hemp can be used to produce textiles, food, furniture, health products, and cosmetics.
However, there were limitations on growing hemp since it is categorised as a No 5 narcotic plant in the form of marijuana.
Therefore, farmers have to grow it secretly, despite the fact that hemp is an economic plant.
The spokesman said the cabinet agreed to set up a committee to implement the plan.
Source:
