The federal minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz on Thursday inaugurated the harvesting of first crop of bhang (Cannabis) cultivated on an official level.

At the inaugural ceremony, the federal minister said that the first crop of bhang (Cannabis) planted on the government level has been successfully prepared in three and a half months.

According to the details, the seeds of cannabis plant were brought from Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan, and their cultivation was done on an area of one acre.

The federal minister on this occasion reiterated the benefits of cannabis plantation and its usage in the medicine industry. He said that the plantation of cannabis is 10 times more beneficial than other drugs and we will not focus on the negative elements. The minister also added that Bhang could prove to be an alternate crop for cotton.

“A seed of bhang is worth US$12 in the international market and encouraging its lawful export will help in curbing its illicit trade,” Shibli Faraz said.

Shibli Faraz further added that according to the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, the mass level production of Zaitoon has also been initiated. With this, there will be more foreign exchange savings.

Agricultural experts have opined that in order to fulfill the international market demand of cannabis, Pakistan has to be fully prepared.