A Major NSW Agriculture Grant Opportunity for the Hemp Industry

A significant NSW Government grant is currently open that presents a real opportunity for the industrial hemp sector in NSW, and for iHemp NSW to play a stronger, more effective role in supporting industry growth.

The Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program is designed to accelerate the uptake of innovative technology and equipment, improve supply chain productivity, open new export markets, and reduce emissions across the agricultural sector.

With funding available from $500,000 to $4 million, this program is aimed at projects that deliver practical, on-the-ground outcomes, not business-as-usual activity.

Industrial hemp aligns strongly with the program’s objectives, particularly in plant-based industries, low-emissions materials, regional development, and supply chain innovation.

Grant info here

Why this grant matters for industrial hemp

Industrial hemp is a low-emissions crop with applications across construction, manufacturing, textiles, and plant-based products
The NSW hemp sector faces well-known bottlenecks in processing, equipment access, standardisation, and scale
This grant is specifically designed to support technology, equipment, and industry capability, not just individual businesses
Peak and industry bodies can play a critical role when they act as delivery partners for industry-wide outcomes

High-level project ideas that could work for iHemp NSW

Below are concept-level ideas only. Any project would need to be developed with industry partners and co-investment.

Statewide hemp supply chain enablement

Paid project roles to coordinate growers, processors, and manufacturers
Targeted investment in shared-use processing or testing equipment
Removing critical bottlenecks that limit scale and export readiness

Regional hemp processing and equipment access hubs

Shared infrastructure for fibre separation, hurd processing, or pre-processing
Cooperative or partnership model benefiting multiple growers
Equipment located in eligible regional NSW LGAs

Low-emissions hemp materials validation and scale

Equipment and services to support performance testing, quality assurance, and emissions data
Supporting industry uptake of hemp-based construction and manufacturing materials
Strengthening confidence for downstream users and buyers

Export-ready hemp fibre and hurd development

Improving consistency, grading, and packaging for export markets
Enabling NSW-grown hemp to meet international supply requirements
Strengthening regional supply chains rather than exporting raw material

Aboriginal-led hemp enterprise partnerships

Partnerships with Aboriginal corporations or land councils
Investment in production, processing, and value-adding capability
Supporting long-term economic participation in regional NSW

Industry backbone and delivery capacity

Establishing iHemp NSW as a formal delivery partner for industry-wide projects
Paid roles focused on project delivery, coordination, and outcomes
Supporting technology uptake and supply chain integration across regions

What this grant is not for

General advocacy or awareness campaigns
Marketing or advertising activity
Planning-only or research-only projects
Business-as-usual operational costs
Ongoing roles without defined project outcomes

Projects must be time-bound, outcomes-driven, and focused on equipment, technology, and measurable industry impact.

Next steps

iHemp NSW is exploring whether a strong, industry-led project can be developed that aligns with the program requirements. Any application would require:

Strong partnerships with growers and processors
Significant co-investment from industry
A clear focus on productivity, emissions reduction, and market access

If you are a grower, processor, manufacturer, or regional organisation interested in being part of a potential project, we encourage you to reach out and start the conversation early.

This is a rare opportunity to build real capability for the NSW hemp industry, and to do it at the scale required to make lasting change.

Grant info here

NSW Agriculture Grant Opportunity for the Hemp Industry

iHemp NSW_Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program

iHemp NSW Privacy Policy

IHemp NSW is committed to promoting the hemp industry in New South Wales by providing support and networking for hemp growers, hemp processors and other interested parties. We respect your privacy and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

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