GUYANA will be observing its second “Hemp Awareness Week” commencing on October 8, 2017, under the theme: “Greening Tomorrow’s World,” as part of Agriculture Month activities.

The week of activities will commence with a launching activity at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre on Sunday, October 8, beginning at 17:00 hrs.
There will be speeches and cultural entertainment, among other things.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the association said that the week-long programme will focus on sensitising Guyanese on the importance of an Industrial Hemp Industry in the country which will provide thousands of jobs, create new industries, build on the economy and eradicate poverty.

This year’s activities will be bigger and better, the association says, as it extends a warm welcome to members of the public. Activities include outreach sessions in all 10 administrative regions and sub-regions; the distribution of fliers and DVDs; a national consultation; TV, radio and newspaper publicity, as well as sports and cultural events.

Meanwhile, villagers of Moraikobai, located some 95 miles up the Mahaicony River, and the only indigenous community in Region Five have shown great interest in the cultivation of industrial hemp and the manufacture of over 25,000 hemp products and uses, but claim they need more awareness and sensitisation on the amazing crop.

The villagers who spoke with officials of the Guyana Hemp Association during the village’s Indigenous Heritage Festivities on September 16 last, said that the two main economic activities are logging and farming, and to a lesser extent, handicraft.

But with the establishment of the industrial hemp industry in the village, it will be a tremendous boost, primarily for employment.

A resident who gave her name only as Veronica expressed that awareness is critical for the hemp drive, and urges the GHA to expand their awareness campaign with more outreach programmes.

Meetings with farmers and other stakeholders will also be held.