Bombay Hemp Company
- Nidhi Shegokar
- Aug 27, 2023
- 2 min read
BOHECO originated from the collective experiences of its co-founders during their time at H R College of Commerce and Economics in 2013. Avnish Pandya, Chirag Tekchandaney, Delzaad Deolaliwala, Jahan Peston Jamas, Sumit Shah, and Yash P Kotak joined forces to establish the brand.
by The Print
While travelling, the co-founders observed the widespread presence of the cannabis plant throughout India, regardless of the specific state or district. In certain regions of India, cannabis grows naturally, which caught the founders' attention. In the summer of 2013, Jahan had the opportunity to visit his extended family in Australia, where he encountered hemp in the Australian outback. He was intrigued by how rural communities effectively harnessed the potential of the hemp plant to create and sell a range of industrial and medical products, including clothing, building materials, and health foods. Jahan shared his experiences with the other founders, sparking their curiosity. This prompted them to delve into the business aspects of cannabis, including regulatory considerations, research domains, and commercial market opportunities in India.
The group of six co-founders embarked on a proactive journey to find a solution that could benefit local agricultural and industrial sectors, resulting in the establishment of the Bombay Hemp Company (BOHECO). Their guiding principles, "Educate, Cultivate, Elevate," formed the foundation of their mission. Since its inception, BOHECO has aimed to promote the societal advantages of industrial hemp. Striving to challenge preconceived notions of this versatile crop, they actively support local farmers in cultivating hemp, offering cultivation techniques, and aiding in improving their socio-economic circumstances.
BOHECO's medium-term objective involves supplying larger farming communities with cultivable and standardised hemp seed varieties. They also plan to expand commercial-grade hemp cultivation across multiple states to enhance the scale of raw material production through vertical integration. Presently, the company collaborates with approximately 100 farmers.
BOHECO's initial market offering was handloom fabric, crafted by a women's Self-Help Group (SHG) based in Uttarakhand. The concept aimed to bridge the gap between local artisans working with wild hemp and urban communities. A pivotal aspect for the founders was to transform the perception of cannabis from a "dope" to a source of "hope." To achieve this, they integrated a social impact narrative along with highlighting the positive environmental contributions of hemp. While their initial sale amounted to a modest sum of Rs 7,500, the impact on the BOHECO founders was profound. It served as a catalyst, motivating them to continue their journey along this transformative path.