This move is expected to significantly expand the cultivation of this versatile crop.
🌿 Hemp Without Permits: What’s Changing?
According to First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky, the Ukrainian government has removed all previous licensing requirements for industrial hemp. Farmers must now simply register in the “eKonoplia” system to begin sowing.
“We expect that this will lead to a significant increase in the area of this crop, which will be actively sown in May,” Vysotsky said.
The deregulation applies only to industrial hemp, which is used in textile, construction, and bio-based industries—not medicinal cannabis.
🏛️ State Support for Cotton Cultivation
Vysotsky also announced the continuation of a two-year pilot program to revive cotton farming in Ukraine, with state subsidies of 10,000 UAH per hectare.
Target Regions:
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Odesa
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Mykolaiv
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Kherson
“Given the climatic conditions in southern Ukraine, we expect that from 2026 this crop will begin to gain momentum,” he added.
🔍 Why It Matters
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Economic opportunity: Industrial hemp is a high-margin, low-impact crop.
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Job creation: Both crops support rural development and light industry.
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Import substitution: Cotton production reduces reliance on imports for textile-grade fibers.
