Establishing Cottage Industries to Manufacture Hemp Fabric and Traditional Attire in Rural Areas in Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape for Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation

Abstract

Abstract Persistently high levels of unemployment and indigence in some villages known for illegal cultivation of the Cannabis sativa plant in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape (EC) could be alleviated if the illegal farmers switch to legal hemp cultivation. Additionally, cottage industries could be established through cooperatives to produce hemp fibre, yarn and fabric for manufacturing traditional attire. Such home-based industries would boost local clothing manufacturing and promote cultural and heritage tourism. Hemp is the non-narcotic variety of Cannabis sativa that is cultivated in many countries around the world for its strong and fine fibres that are used to produce textiles and clothing. There are claims that hemp was used as a fibre for clothing long before cotton was discovered. A model is presented illustrating how 15,000 pieces of traditional clothing items can be manufactured by cultivating and processing hemp trees on 50 hectares of land using a network of 15 cooperatives based in a rural area. Using villages known for farming Cannabis sativa in Bergville (KZN) and Lusikisiki (EC) as case studies, it is shown how 405 permanent jobs can be created through cooperatives established in the entire value chain. Sladky & Siroka (2007) point out that a sufficient growing area within 70 to 100 km from the functional scutching line together with mechanisms for harvesting and retting are the basic prerequisites for establishing a successful regional hemp industry. The South African government may need to provide subsidies for hemp farming and processing cooperatives considering the high start-up costs.