“The new eHemp service will boost the sector’s development, since the use of industrial hemp is extremely broad – from the light and food industries to pulp and paper. Hemp is a high-margin niche crop with vast processing opportunities,”
– Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Vitaliy Koval.
Key Objectives of eHemp
- Enhancing Transparency
- eHemp fosters publicity and openness in the industrial hemp market, encouraging more companies to sow, grow, and process hemp for both domestic and foreign markets.
- Boosting Industry Growth
- By simplifying regulatory and administrative procedures, the system is expected to increase the number of businesses involved in hemp production.
- Improving Data Collection
- Through the system, the government can generate precise statistics and carry out analyses on hemp usage, enhancing strategic decisions and policy-making.
Main Features: Modules for Registered Businesses
Any legal entity engaged in sowing, growing, or processing hemp for industrial purposes can access the following online modules:
- Registration Module
- Allows companies to register as operators in the industrial hemp sector.
- Land Plot Management Module
- Facilitates registration and management of fields designated for hemp cultivation.
- Sowing and Harvest Module
- Tracks sowing dates, cultivation areas, and harvest data, helping ensure accurate records.
- Laboratory Research Module
- Integrates test results for quality control and any mandated checks, including THC content.
- Extracts and Reporting Module
- Generates official certificates, compliance documents, and standardized reports.
- Interactive Map
- Visualizes land plots and hemp cultivation data in real time, contributing to a transparent view of the industry.
Integration with State Registers
eHemp connects with several key national systems to automate data verification and streamline compliance:
- Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs, and Public Organizations
- State Register of Real Rights to Real Estate (and State Land Cadastre)
- Information and Communication System e-Plants (Includes State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine; Register of Certificates for Seeds and/or Planting Material)
Simplified Registration Process
No More Lengthy Licenses
Previously, obtaining a license to grow industrial hemp could take up to three months. Now, under Ministry of Agrarian Policy Order No. 2692 (dated August 16, 2024):
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Register in the Official Hemp Operators’ Register
- Submitting an application via the eHemp system’s online portal is sufficient.
- Quotas or licenses for hemp cultivation are no longer required.
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Essential Requirements
- Businesses only need a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) to apply.
- Applicants can quickly secure official recognition for sowing, growing, and processing hemp for industrial use.
Collaborative Framework
The eHemp system was developed by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation under the EGAP Program, executed by the Eastern Europe Foundation with support from the Swiss government. The EU project “Institutional and Policy Reform of Small-Scale Agriculture in Ukraine” (IPRSA) also contributed.
Diya.Engine, a platform initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, served as the technological foundation for eHemp, reducing time and resources needed for system deployment.
Anticipated Benefits
- Growth in Hemp Cultivation
With simplified registration and open data, more producers are expected to enter the market, fueling industry expansion. - Greater Investment
A transparent ecosystem may attract domestic and international investors, boosting supply chains and introducing new hemp-based products. - Enhanced Policy and Oversight
Real-time data on planting, production, and processing allow state agencies to better monitor and support industry players while mitigating corruption. - Wider Product Range
As more businesses tap into hemp’s potential, consumers can anticipate innovations in textiles, foods, bioplastics, and more.
Conclusion
By launching eHemp, Ukraine takes a decisive step toward streamlining hemp cultivation, reinforcing its status as a pioneering agricultural hub, and unleashing new prospects for economic growth. Harnessing the crop’s wide-ranging applications, the system stands to improve public trust, stimulate business investment, and elevate Ukraine’s brand in the global hemp marketplace.
