His story generated a great deal of public interest following anis an intricate and labour intensive business. This, coupled with a painstaking and stringent process of attaining a license, can dampen an aspiring farmer’s hopes.Only five are farming commercially, having already infiltrated the complex cannabis markets.
Pam Mohlabe, from the Regulatory Authority For Medicinal Cannabis, says it’s inundated with applications. “Well, I would say the system is getting there. We are trying to make sure that the time frame of applications are being done in a short period of time but I must say, they are a lots of applications that are coming in but we are trying our best as an organisation to deliver on time.”With cold weather climate in Europe not conducive for cannabis farming, the world is looking to Africa for investment. The Netherlands and Germany have become partners of choice for South African farmers.
For Makhado spreading the net abroad means the future is bright for South African medicinal cannabis industry. “Germany and Netherlands for their visit to come here. It excites me and give me lots of courage and push to change and to keep on doing what I am doing. What I am doing is to create more, and also to educate more people on how we can change and grow our economy more especially in the cannabis industry.”VIDEO | Limpopo emerging farmers tap into cannabis farming: