First of all, hemp production has the ability to grow in the field using 50% less water and chemicals than cotton. On an annual basis, 1 acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as 2 to 3 acres of cotton. In addition, hemp fiber is stronger and softer than cotton, lasts twice as long as cotton and does not mold.
It takes years before trees can be harvested as paper or wood, but hemp is ready for harvest in just 120 days after planting. While hemp can grow on most arable land, forests and tree farms require large tracts of land located in a few places. Harvesting hemp rather than trees will also eliminate erosion from logging, thereby reducing topsoil loss and water pollution caused by soil runoff. In addition, it is purified from soil chemicals where hemp is grown.
Hemp can be used to produce fiberboard that is stronger and lighter than wood. Using hemp fiberboard instead of timber will further reduce the need to cut down our forests.
Hemp can be used to produce strong, durable and environmentally friendly plastic substitutes. Thousands of products made from petroleum-based plastics can be produced from hemp-based composites.
Hemp seeds contain a protein that is more nutritious and more economical to produce than soybean protein. Hemp seed protein can be used to produce almost any product made from soybeans: tofu, veggie burgers, butter, cheese, salad oils, ice cream, milk, etc. Hemp seeds can also be ground into a nutritious flour that can be used to produce it. baked goods such as pasta, cookies, and bread.
Hemp seed oil can be used to produce non-toxic diesel fuel, paint, varnish, detergent, ink and lubricating oil. Since hemp seeds make up half the weight of a mature hemp plant, hemp seeds are a viable source for these crops.
Just as corn can be converted into clean-burning ethanol fuel, so can hemp. Because hemp produces more biomass than any plant species (including maize) that can be grown in a wide variety of climates and locations, hemp has the potential to be an important source of ethanol fuel.
With technological advances in recent years, hemp has also increased in more textile use. The fiber obtained from hemp fibers can be produced as a blended yarn with other cotton, polyester, viscose-style fibers or as 100% hemp yarn from long-staple combed fibers. Hemp yarns are used in many different areas from outerwear to home textiles. Products made from hemp fiber and yarn are becoming more and more popular with each passing day with their durable, antibacterial, UV protection, moisture transfer properties and natural appearance.
