Introducing our draft strategy to members and the wider hemp community
At iHemp NSW, we’re proud to share our draft iHemp NSW Strategic Plan for 2026–2028. Our first formal, adopted strategy as an organisation. Whether you’re a long-standing member or simply keeping an eye on the NSW hemp industry from the outside, this document sets out where we believe the industry needs to go, and how we intend to help get it there.
Why now?
The NSW industrial hemp industry sits at a genuine turning point. Regional processing capacity is emerging, national attention is building through the 2026 Senate Inquiry, and public interest in low-carbon, regenerative industries has never been higher. But structural barriers remain: outdated regulation, fragmented compliance, and a public that still often confuses industrial hemp with cannabis.
The numbers tell the story. NSW currently has 244 industrial hemp licence holders and 19,306 hectares under licence, yet only 1,087 hectares were actually planted in 2024/25. That gap between licensed potential and real production is exactly what this strategy is designed to close.
What the plan is built on
Our Strategic Plan draws on three key sources: our submission to the Senate Inquiry (December 2025) and participation in the Canberra public hearing, the work of the 2024 NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce (with its Industry Prospectus expected in August 2026), and, importantly, the collective knowledge of our own members: growers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and advocates across the state.
Our vision and mission
Our vision is a thriving, connected and commercially viable industrial hemp industry in NSW, one that strengthens regional economies, drives sustainable manufacturing, supports regenerative agriculture, and contributes to Australia’s low-carbon future.
Our mission is to advance the NSW hemp industry through support, collaboration, advocacy and innovation, while championing the rights of our members. These commitments sit alongside our core values: transparency, collaboration, innovation and ambition.
Five strategic priorities for 2026–2028
The plan is structured around five priorities: advocacy and policy reform, industry growth and infrastructure, market development, a knowledge hub and industry education, and organisational capacity and financial sustainability. Each priority carries clear strategies and measures of success, designed to track real progress rather than good intentions.
What this means for members
For our members, this strategy is a working document, a shared reference point for where iHemp NSW is putting its energy over the next two years. We’ll be reporting against these priorities regularly, and we welcome member input as the plan is finalised.
If you’d like to read the full draft unveils its draft or get involved, sign up to our news letter or become a member.
FAQ
What is the iHemp NSW Strategic Plan 2026–2028? It’s iHemp NSW’s first formal, adopted strategy, setting out priorities for advocacy, industry growth, education and organisational sustainability over the next two years.
How many hemp licence holders are there in NSW? As of 2026, NSW has 244 industrial hemp licence holders, with 19,306 hectares under licence, though only 1,087 hectares were planted in 2024/25.
What informed the strategy? The plan draws on iHemp NSW’s Senate Inquiry submission, the NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce’s work, and input from iHemp NSW members across the supply chain.
When will the NSW Hemp Industry Taskforce Roadmap be released? The Taskforce’s Industry Prospectus is expected in August 2026.
How can I get involved with iHemp NSW? Members and interested parties can find more information via the About Us section of the iHemp NSW website, ihempnsw.org.au.
