New Delhi, Jul 10 (IANS): The Indian Industrial Hemp Association (IIHA) and the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday launched a pilot project to promote industrial hemp, a statement said.

It is the first licensed project to cultivate hemp in the hill state and will "create a number of new economic opportunities for farmers", it said.

At the launch of the project in Pauri Garhwal, Uttrakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat spoke about the benefits that the pilot project is expected to have on local communities, by creating jobs, increasing economic activity and generating wealth for farmers in their villages, the statement said.

He also said the project will also increase opportunities for national and international investors.

IIHA President Rohit Sharma said the the decision to legalise industrial hemp cultivation had provided an impetus to the industry.

"Hemp is our traditional and religious plant and finally getting its fair due and coming in the forefront of a positive dialogue," he said, as per the statement.