​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier David Makhura has called on South African growers to plant the seeds of sustainable agriculture to reignite the economy.
On Wednesday, Makhura visited the cannabis CBD Full Spectrum factory in the Vaal. The facility founded by CEO Professor De Beer is the first licensed and most advanced cannabis plant in South Africa. 
With the demand for medical cannabis on the rise, government is opening up and regulating the commercial use of hemp products, providing opportunities for small-scale farmers. 
Policy on the use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes is also on the cards, to build the industry in line with global trends. 
Premier Makhura said the facility, which houses various strains of cannabis plants, is ushering new industrialisation. 
"This sector is critical in our country as the medicinal values of cannabis should be met with modern science to address human wellbeing."
Makhura said the investment into the agro-processing plant, will see packaging and export to neighbouring countries.
"To fast track this process we are having an investment conference in the Vaal and the cannabis industry will be a catalyst in revitalising the economy.
"We want to deal with basic infrastructure in the Vaal by building new roads and dealing with the water challenges along the Vaal River. We want to make the Vaal a leader in this industry," said Makhura.
De Beer said the facility is the beginning of green and clean industrialisation. 
"Through these cannabis seeds, we can create our pharmacy in space."