Browsing by Author "Coogan, Camila Joan"
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- ItemThe South African hemp story : saviour crop or business as usual(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Coogan, Camila Joan; Metelerkamp, Luke; Swanepoel, Stefanie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study, presented in the form of two journal articles, seeks to understand the barriers to initiating a viable, inclusive and sustainable hemp industry in South Africa. Production of the crop has been prohibited in the country since the early 1900s, although state-supported research trials into its agronomic and commercial feasibility in South Africa have been ongoing since the 1990s. The increased global interest in hemp is fuelled by the need to find sustainable replacements for high-carbon materials such as fibres, paper, plastics, and so on. In addition, hemp offers nutritional and medicinal benefits. While many countries, such as Canada, began removing restrictions on hemp production and researching the beneficial uses of the crop at the same time as South Africa began trials, this country is still to realise any benefits from both public and private-sector investment in research. This study aims to unearth the barriers – both obvious and more hidden – in an effort to contribute to overcoming them and realising a viable hemp industry in South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach, within a grounded theory framework, the study employed a literature review of both academic and grey literature (research reports, news articles, etc.) and conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 key stakeholders. During this process, small findings emerged, which allowed a theory to begin to develop as to the obstacles facing the industry. There is little academic literature to draw on about establishing a hemp industry in the developing world; the study therefore draws from research on infant industries, innovation and the role of subsidies to frame the discussion. The first journal article (An analysis of the historical determinants shaping the future of the South African hemp industry) explores the visible barriers of legislation, which in turn revealed the second barrier. This is the desire for hemp production to contribute towards solving South Africa’s socioeconomic challenges as a ‘saviour crop’. The third visible barrier is the lack of clarity about whether hemp production would be commercially feasible in South Africa, and, if so, what kind of production model would be best. The primary finding in the first journal article is that perhaps the lack of a clearly articulated vision from government for the industry in terms of its desired socioeconomic contribution and commercial feasibility is the biggest stumbling block. The second journal article (An exploration of the competing narratives within South Africa’s hemp industry) highlights the ‘invisible’ barriers, including the differing expectations and vision for the industry, the existing silo mentality within stakeholders, dispersed and misdirected funding streams, absence of a public champion, and industry fatigue. Both articles use illustrative examples from other countries to highlight elements that could be of use in South Africa, emphasising the importance of an institutionalised home for hemp in the country, state support, communication between stakeholders, and an applicable licensing model. It is hoped that the study provides an accurate reflection of the industry and opens up discussions about alternative ways forward over, around or through the identified barriers.