The World’s Largest Hemp Farm: A Vision Realized by Melabis and CEO Damon Booth

A Groundbreaking Initiative in Uzbekistan

Maltese company Melabis is poised to transform the cannabis landscape with plans to cultivate low-THC cannabis in Uzbekistan. In a landmark agreement secured with the Uzbek government late last year, the company has received the green light to cultivate on an impressive 3,000 hectares—making it the largest hemp farm globally. The ambitious initiative is set to commence planting in May, initially covering 500 hectares, with plans for expansion to ultimately encompass 7,400 acres, equivalent to over 10 square miles.

Damon Booth: A Visionary Leader

At the helm of Melabis is CEO Damon Booth, whose background spans wealth management and online gaming before he ventured into the burgeoning cannabis sector following Malta’s legalization of medical cannabis in 2018. His journey began with developing a patient application to monitor the efficacy of medical cannabis, which deepened his ambitions to engage directly in cultivation.

Born in Doncaster, Booth has assembled an exceptional team to support Melabis’s rapid growth. Central to the company’s strategy is low-cost cultivation in Asia, positioning Melabis as a disruptive force in the hemp market.

The Importance of Central Asia

The Central Asian region has deep roots in cannabis cultivation and is gradually shifting its regulatory stance following years of prohibition. A significant push towards this change was highlighted by a recent United Nations ruling that recognized the medical properties of cannabis, advocating its removal from restrictive classifications.

Booth emphasizes this transformation, stating, “We aim to be the lowest-cost producer of CBD biomass without compromising quality.” The cultivation will occur in the Sirdaryo province of Uzbekistan, an area renowned for its favorable climate for growing crops like cotton, melons, and watermelons.

Melabis’s Seed Bank and Strain Selection

Melabis’s initial focus will involve utilizing an EU-certified cultivar, the Orange Label strain from Italian seed firm CanaPuglia. This strain boasts 98% feminization, is low in THC, and can yield CBD levels exceeding 10%. An innovative aspect of Melabis’s strategy is the creation of a local seed bank, with plans to grow a localized variant of this strain in an on-site greenhouse. This not only ensures quality control but also cultivates a sustainable agricultural practice.

Economic Growth and Job Creation

Melabis is more than just an agricultural venture; it is positioned as a catalyst for economic development in Uzbekistan. As the sole license holder for cannabis cultivation, the company is committed to creating over 150 job opportunities. Booth points out the environmental benefits as well, noting that hemp cultivation uses significantly less water than cotton—Uzbekistan’s primary agricultural export.

“Our investments support the local economy,” Booth asserts, insisting on paying Uzbek farmers above the average wage for crop workers in the region. This aligns with Melabis’s Corporate Social Responsibility goals, showcasing their commitment to positively impacting the local community.

A Compassionate and Sustainable Approach

Booth highlights, “The fact that a more conservative country like Uzbekistan has changed its laws shows the rest of the world what they could also be doing.” He paints Uzbekistan as the spiritual home of cannabis, where it has been grown for thousands of years—now, it’s on the threshold of a new economic era driven by hemp.

This venture intends to harness both the economic potential of cannabis and its environmental advantages, promoting sustainability that benefits both the community and the ecosystem.

An Attractive Pricing Strategy

Melabis is entering the market with competitive pricing, offering CBD biomass starting at €15 per kg, with prices dropping to €7 per kg for larger orders. This strategic pricing approach positions Melabis as one of the most economical players in the burgeoning CBD market, which is projected to grow rapidly—from €815.4 million in 2020 to €4.5 billion by 2025.

“After two years of hard work, we are now entering the commercial phase with letters of intent signed with multiple partners,” Booth states, reflecting on their readiness to engage openly about their plans and partnerships as they venture into the market.

Melabis is not just planting crops—they are sowing the seeds of a more sustainable, economically flourishing future for Uzbekistan and setting a precedent for cannabis cultivation in Central Asia. As they prepare for their first planting, the story of Melabis illustrates the powerful potential of cannabis to act as a driver for economic, environmental, and social change in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.