Ukrainian farmers are actively developing hemp growing
13 September 2024 15:34
After the law on the legalisation of medical cannabis, cannabis farming is actively reviving and developing in Ukraine. This was announced by the Director of the Department of Agrarian Development of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy Igor Vishtak, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to him, Ukrainian farmers are increasingly growing hemp for industrial purposes. This can have a positive impact on the development of related industries, such as food, light and pulp and paper.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see hemp being grown for industrial purposes in Vinnytsia region, which is a traditional domestic crop that has been virtually absent from crop rotation for a long time. The cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes became possible after the adoption of the law on medical cannabis. Industrial hemp is also a variety of value-added products – food, light, pulp and paper, and other industries,” Vishtak said.
He noted that the Government is making efforts to revive the hemp industry. The Law of Ukraine No. 3528-IX dated 21 December 2023 on state regulation of the turnover of hemp plants has already been adopted, which, according to expert estimates, could increase the area of hemp cultivation to 8 thousand hectares next year.
Vishtak noted that with the adoption of the Law, industrial hemp has become interesting for Ukrainian agricultural producers. Changes in legislation allow agricultural enterprises to rediscover a niche sector of agricultural production – industrial hemp farming – as hemp for industrial purposes is becoming an almost common crop, which no longer requires licences or quotas.
It is also important to note that hemp cultivation contributes to soil aeration and cleansing of heavy metals such as zinc, copper and lead.
