‘Green to Gold’ Initiative: ₹1,000–₹2,000 Crore Annual Revenue for Himachal Pradesh

Key facts

• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Green to Gold’ initiative, which is "aimed at transforming industrial hemp into a key driver of sustainable growth."
• The policy is "aligned with the vision of making Himachal a self-reliant state by 2027" by transforming hemp into a globally valued industrial and medicinal resource.
• The Himachal Pradesh cabinet approved the policy on "Jan 24 this year," with a pilot project for controlled cultivation set to begin soon.
• The initiative mandates "strict enforcement of THC levels below 0.3%, ensuring the crop remains non-intoxicating and unsuitable for misuse."
• State government projections suggest that regulated hemp farming could "generate Rs 1,000–Rs 2,000 crore annually" for the public exchequer.
• The policy aims to ensure the state's natural wealth "benefits local farmers, youth, and the public exchequer" while providing a climate-resilient alternative for agriculture.
• Industrial hemp is promoted as a sustainable resource that "requires nearly 50% less water and can grow in marginal soils" compared to traditional crops.
• Under the "‘Hemp-Hub' vision," the state aims to become a manufacturing center for products like hempcrete, specialized textiles, and Ayurvedic medicines.