QUMBU– In a bold move to strengthen South Africa’s growing cannabis sector, the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) together with the Mpondoland Cannabis Belt Association (MCBA) hosted a key stakeholder workshop in Qumbu under Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality on 11 October 2025.
The main focus of the workshop was to explore ways to build a sustainable and inclusive cannabis industry in the Eastern Cape. Participants stressed the need for clear and consistent regulations to provide certainty for investors while protecting the region’s unique indigenous cannabis landrace strains, which hold considerable value for medicine, industrial use and seed development.
Discussions also covered essential steps to support local growers. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of fair licensing systems for rural and traditional cultivators, policies that attract responsible investment, and stronger market connections to ensure communities benefit from the full cannabis value chain.
Training, mentorship and capacity-building programmes were also emphasised as critical tools to help local producers comply with industry standards and succeed commercially.
One of the workshop’s most significant outcomes was the allocation of 20 hectares of land by Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality for the cultivation and processing of indigenous cannabis. This area will function as a demonstration site for quality-controlled production, meeting both regulatory and market standards while serving as a model for other community-based initiatives.
ECRDA confirmed its ongoing support for the project, pledging to engage national government departments and state-owned entities to help scale the initiative. The agency also highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems and leveraging local cannabis landrace strains to build a sustainable, community-led industry.
ECRDA noted, “The workshop did not only encourage meaningful discussions but also opened the door to real opportunities, including land allocation, training and market access, driving the growth of a locally owned and sustainable cannabis industry in the Eastern Cape.”
This initiative represents a major step forward in formalising the cannabis value chain in the Mpondoland region.
By creating jobs, supporting rural enterprise and empowering local communities, it positions the Eastern Cape as a leader in community-driven cannabis development.
Photographs: ECRDA/Supplied
