Italy’s UCI may launch industrial hemp cultivation in KazakhstanItalian agricultural union Unione Coltivatori Italiani (UCI) is exploring a project to cultivate and deep-process industrial hemp in Kazakhstan for textile, construction material, and pharmaceutical production, the press service of national company Kazakh Invest reported.Kazakh Invest Deputy Chairmen Azamat Kozhanov and Madiyar Sultanbek discussed the project’s potential with UCI President Mario Serpillo. The initiative involves phased testing of agricultural technologies on land plots up to 100 hectares across various regions, with subsequent scaling.The project plans to use industrial hemp strains compliant with international standards for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of no more than 0.3%. This eliminates psychoactive properties and classifies the crop as industrial raw material.Following the meeting, both parties agreed to organize a UCI delegation visit to Kazakhstan. Plans include meetings with authorized state agencies, development institutions, and selection of a pilot region for project launch.Founded in the 1920s, UCI is one of Italy’s oldest and most authoritative professional agricultural organizations, with over 300,000 members including farmers, agribusinesses, and crop processors.Earlier, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved legislative amendments to enhance law enforcement services, which notably include measures for industrial hemp utilization. The amendments empower the government to determine hemp strains permitted for non-drug industrial cultivation and establish protocols for industrial processing. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX