Botswana has announced that industrial hemp trials have confirmed the crop’s viability across different soils and climatic zones, paving the way for commercial production under a regulated framework. President Duma Boko stated that citizens interested in hemp farming will be permitted to apply, provided they comply with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, including THC monitoring and licensing conditions.
What’s next for operators: Pilot projects backed by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) are transitioning toward scale‑up, with land allocated for larger cultivation sites and early license activity already underway. The government’s phased approach—trials first, then farmer participation—suggests a near‑term window for serious applicants to engage with BITC, finalize agronomic plans, and prepare for DEA licensing as commercial rules bed in.