Ananda’s 50 per cent owned subsidiary, DJT Plants Limited (DJT), has completed the first step in its genetic stabilisation programme, and field trials are now underway to assess ananda’s cannabis cultivars.
After beginning its medical cannabis research programme with the commencement of cultivation at its completed facility in February 2021, Ananda has now made further developments with its programmes.
Under its genetic stabilisation programme, the company has confirmed that 50 per cent of the plants have accepted pollination, with the remaining 50 per cent set to be completed in the next few weeks.
The seeds will be collected and germinated to initiate the next generation of genetics. The company has stated that it is proposed to continue this self-crossing for a minimum of six generations to create a library of stable genetics from which it will choose suitable profiles for commercial growing.
Read more: First seeds planted at Ananda’s medical cannabis research facility
Ananda CEO, Melissa Sturgess, commented: “We are very focused at the moment on our research programme to create stable genetics and a consistent growing environment in order to produce high quality, consistent medical cannabis for UK patients.
“Please follow our Socials on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram to see regular images of the flower we are growing.
“From a commercial perspective, we continue to note the increase in UK-based medical cannabis patient numbers from around 3,000, when the research licence was granted, to approximately 17,000 patients currently.
“The growth trajectory is right for our business plan.”
Additionally, the company has now begun field trials to assess the performance of various cannabis cultivars in Ananda’s Lincolnshire conditions. The trials are also being used to define growing, fertilisation, irrigation and harvesting protocols which will be useful in a commercial growing environment.
Ananda is growing in natural season conditions with no artificial light and no artificial heat, and the company has stated that results to date are as expected, with near-perfect growing conditions creating robust and healthy cannabis plants.
The company still has to complete the acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent of DJT not already owned by Ananda. To do this it will sign the sub-lease under which Ananda is provided with its proposed commercial expansion footprint.
DJT, together with the landowner and the head leaseholder, have been working to secure comprehensive lease terms and the appropriate supporting documentation, so that DJT can expand the footprint in its current location to 140,000 m2 and beyond.
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