Shimla, Dec 27 (IANS) – Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has unveiled a new plan called the “Green to Gold” initiative, aiming to shift Himachal Pradesh’s economic focus from a reputation linked to illicit cannabis trade to becoming a leading player in the legitimate bio‑economy by 2027.
For years wild cannabis has grown in the valleys of Kullu, Mandi and Chamba, frequently associated with underground drug markets. Sukhu told reporters that the state now intends to celebrate the plant for its medicinal value—helping with pain and inflammation—while also tapping its potential in textiles, paper, packaging, cosmetics, bio‑fuel and other industries.
The government sees hemp as a versatile “industrial asset,” capable of turning raw material into high‑value products such as eco‑friendly fabrics and advanced bioplastics. “With proper regulation and awareness, hemp can become a key driver of eco‑friendly industrial development, especially in hill and rural economies like Himachal Pradesh,” the chief minister said in an official statement.
A cornerstone of the policy is a strict requirement that all hemp grown in the state contain less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This scientific limit ensures the plant is non‑intoxicating and impossible to misappropriate as a drug while preserving its superior fiber and seed qualities.
Sukhu explained that the cabinet’s decision on Jan. 24 cleared a pilot project for controlled cultivation, a move that comes as farmers increasingly abandon traditional crops due to wildlife interference—particularly monkeys that routinely damage fields—leaving farmers with scant income.
By redefining the crop’s image from “narcotic” to “resource,” the state expects regulated hemp cultivation to bring an extra Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in annual revenue once fully scaled. The legislation will also enable Himachal Pradesh to claim a share of a global market that is currently dominated by the black market and foreign imports, especially in the fast‑growing pharmaceutical and wellness sectors.
Beyond the fiscal upside, the “Green to Gold” plan offers a climate‑resilient option for local farmers. Hemp requires about 50 percent less water than traditional fiber crops such as cotton and can grow in marginal soils where other crops fail.
To back the shift, premier research institutions—CSK HPKV in Palampur and Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni—are conducting pilot studies to develop high‑yield, low‑THC hemp varieties suited to the Himalayas.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, chair of the state‑level committee formed with several MLAs, inspected projects in Doiwala (Uttarakhand) and Madhya Pradesh to evaluate the legal, regulatory and practical aspects of controlled cannabis cultivation. The committee’s recommendations, later tabled and adopted by the Assembly, endorse regulated cultivation for industrial, scientific and medicinal uses.
Sukhu also highlighted the “Hemp‑hub vision,” which aims to position Himachal Pradesh as a hub for “Hempcrete”—an innovative, carbon‑negative construction material—as well as for specialty textiles and Ayurvedic medicines. By fostering this new sector, the government hopes to not only make Himachal Pradesh one of the most prosperous states by 2032 but also to create a thriving ecosystem for startups and jobs for young people.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
