European Firm to Establish Industrial Hemp Farm at BUAN Lands in Sebele

European Firm to Establish Industrial Hemp Farm at BUAN Lands in SSebele. A new chapter in Botswana’s agricultural diversification drive is unfolding as Hemp Innovations Europe, a leading European agritech company, partners with the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) to establish an industrial hemp farm at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) lands in Sebele.

The announcement was made by BITC Chief Executive Officer, Keletsositse Olebile, during the Investment Pledges session at the ongoing Global Expo Botswana, where he highlighted the initiative as a milestone toward promoting sustainable agriculture and expanding green industrial opportunities in Botswana.

The project forms part of a broader effort to position Botswana as a player in the global bio-economy, with hemp seen as a versatile crop capable of supporting multiple industries. Hemp Innovations Europe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) to collaborate on the pilot phase before expanding the project to the Mookane community.

Founder and CEO Claus Dahlen explained that industrial hemp can be processed into more than 50,000 bioproducts, including hempwood, hempcrete, textiles, and nutritional supplements, making it a high-impact crop for value chain development.

“Hemp uses less water, improves soil quality, and offers major job creation potential, especially for women and young people,” Dahlen said.

The pilot farm at BUAN is expected to serve as a research and development hub, supporting skills transfer and technology exchange while promoting sustainable farming practices. For Botswana’s entrepreneurs and investors, the project represents a gateway to new agro-industrial ventures, export opportunities, and the rise of a bio-based economy aligned with the nation’s Vision 2036 agenda.