Does ‘DoA’ now stand for the Department of Action?
This could be the case as the Department hits the accelerator on implementing the hemp component of the National Cannabis Master Plan. It’s provided the clearest indication to date that it is taking its role seriously now that cannabis is officially an agricultural crop.
DoA’s 10 Major Achievements
The DoA’s Joseph Matlali told MP’s on the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Trade Industry and Competition on 6 February 2026 that considerable achievements had been notched up in the past three months. He outlined the 10 steps the Department has taken to confront policy gaps and create a cohesive industrial cannabis framework.
These are:
1. Formal recognition of hemp as an agricultural crop via the new regulations for the Plant Improvement Act published on 1 December 2025;
2. The acceptable THC limit in hemp raised from 0,2% to 2%;
3. The removal of SAPS from the hemp permitting application process and the removal of fencing and planting size restrictions;
4. The issuing of 2031 hemp permits to date via the provincial agricultural departments;
5. The registration of two local hemp varietals, ARC CAN 001 and ARC Can 003 – (applications for six other varietals are under consideration);
6. The establishment of seed multiplication trials – three hemp seed multiplication sites were established in the Western Cape in 2023, at Nietvoorbij, Robertson and Oudtshoorn, to increase the availability of locally adapted hemp;
7. The distribution of 650 kg of hemp seed for the 2025 planting season to Gauteng and Limpopo farmers via the provincial agriculture departments.
8. Provincial trials underway in all nine provinces to assess the suitability of different hemp varieties under various agro-climatic conditions. “Varieties evaluated include landraces grown by smalleholder/traditional farmers/companies and some imported varieties”;
9. Producer support: during 2024/5 the DoA trained 480 agricultural advisors across all provinces and 556 hemp permit holders. Training included agronomic best practice, regulatory compliance, crop management and post-harvest handling.
10. Solid research and support relationship with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
READ: DoA Planning to Introduce Permits for Non-Medical, High THC Cultivation
ARC Providing Research Support Base for the Sector
The DoA has commissioned several targeted research projects with ARC “to ensure that hemp production is underpinned by credible scientific data and tailored to South African conditions.” These projects are aimed at:
· generating local agro-ecological production data,
· evaluating cultivar adaptability across the provinces
· Determinining optimal planting windows;
· Assessing fibre and grain yield performance;
· Developing best practice agronomic guidelines;
· Supporting evidence-based policy refinement.
Next Steps: Harmonization, Incentivization and Developing Exports
Ncumisa Mcata-Mhlauli, the DTIC’s Chief Director of Agro-processing and Forestry-based Industries, told MP’s that with the foundations in place, the next phase of the strategy will focus on finalising regulations, expanding investment incentives and strengthening export opportunities.
She said the Government is particularly targeting markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, using existing trade agreements to boost exports.
“We want to ensure full-scale commercialisation and trade of cannabis products in both local and export markets,” Mcata-Mhlauli said. “If the regulatory framework is finalised and the right support is provided, the cannabis industry could become a significant contributor to South Africa’s economic growth.”
#
