April 26, the 2nd All-Russian Branch Conference 'The State of Hemp Production and Prospects for the Development of Hemp in Russia - 2018' was held at the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia. Director of the Department of Plant Production, Mechanization, Chemicalization and Plant Protection of the Ministry Petr Chekmarev and Director of the Agro-Industrial Association of Hemp Yulia Divnich became moderators of the event.
Historically, planted areas of hemp in Russia were extensive. But the complexity of cultivating and obtaining seed material, the lack of specialized equipment and agricultural machinery led to the almost complete expulsion of hemp from agricultural traffic. The results of the work of seed breeders, modern innovative technologies for processing and manufacturing of hemp products, as well as high export potential, have returned interest to the hemp cultivation in Russia. "Now the State Register has registered 26 non-narcotic varieties of hemp that can be used for cultivation and subsequent processing. In 2018, acreage under industrial hemp will amount to 4.4 thousand HA, which is 4 times higher than in 2010. The demand for the domestic market and the export potential of products from hemp are quite high, there are prospects for increasing production," said Petr Chekmarev.
The Director of the Department said that in order to stimulate the development of the hemp industry, in addition to the existing state support measures, the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia provided for short-term and investment loans, support at a rate of 10,000 rubles ($ 161.29) per 1 HA of hemp planted area, support under a single subsidy. It is also planned to implement new measures of state support: reimbursement of up to 50% of direct costs for the construction and modernization of hemp processing enterprises, as well as the acquisition of specialized machinery and equipment.
Hemp is a raw material for various products: fiber, textiles, medical products, medicines, food products, as well as gunpowder and rocket fuel for the defense industry. Hemp fiber and hemp oil are of particular value
Petr Chekmarev, in conclusion, noted the confidence in the positive results of the revival of the hemp industry. "The strategic potential of hemp as a culture capable of re-occupying a strong place in various sectors of Russian industry, replacing imported analogues and becoming an export unit in the world trade market is evident," concluded Petr Chekmarev.
Source: Press Service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.
