The legalization of growing industrial hemp through the Farm Bill opened up opportunities for thousands of farmers. On top of that, since many states are allowing commercial farming of hemp, it is becoming even more gripping. With technology, advanced equipment and techniques are rapidly increasing. That makes growing hemp even more hassle-free. So, if you are a farmer and want to get to the depth of hemp farming, stay put! We will tell you a bunch of intriguing and vital things if you are planning to cultivate hemp. Moreover, we will also answer some commonly asked queries and clear several doubts.
Like growing any crop, Hemp farming is a matter of hard work, patience, and time. However, in the case of this super-crop, you can do wonders with your yield if grown properly. So, get ready as we are ready to shoot some valuable information at you! We will cover several prime aspects, including the legality, scope, favorable conditions for growing it, and selling online across platforms like PlainJane. By the end of this article, you will know why everyone around is chanting the name of hemp to reap profits from their farms.
Hemp and its legality
Hemp, like most people know, is a member of the cannabis family. What a lot of people do not know is that it contains 0.3% or less THC. So, it does not have the potency to make us high as regular marijuana does. Thus, it is used ideally for medicinal and industrial purposes.
The first obvious concern that comes to our mind is whether what we are growing is legal. Everything related to cannabis automatically gives space for doubt in this department. The answer to this doubt, however, varies from country to country and state to state.
In some countries, the government continues the ban on the commercial plantation of hemp. Hemp is legal for growing only for research purposes. But, in some regions, it is legal to grow hemp for commercial reasons as well. After the Farm Bill of 2018, hemp production as an agricultural commodity is legal too. That is a massive landmark for hemp because the bill helped it get out of the category of controlled substances.
Once you know about the legality status of hemp in your state, you will ask why you should grow it. Well, there are many reasons.
Is Hemp Worth Cultivating?
If you are a farmer, there is a piece of good news for you. You can save more bucks than you think here. Growing hemp outdoors is a very affordable method of cultivation. Your crop will need fewer amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and even water than many other crops you may consider an option.
The hemp industry currently looks like it has a limitless scope of expansion. If you get your hands in the business early on, you can benefit from its growth. With restrictions getting loose and misconceptions finding an exit, an increasing number of farmers are befriending hemp. Furthermore, the hemp plant has thousands of different uses that you can explore. Hence, hemp production is one of the most lucrative cultivation opportunities available out there.
Now, coming to the cash part of it, there is greenery on this side too! Hemp farming is the reason behind many struggling farmers seeing a ray of hope lately. Studies conclude that sales of hemp-derived products could go up to a whopping $2.2 billion by next year in the US. Thus, there is no question about how much earning potential hemp has.
What are the ideal conditions for hemp growth?
There is not a long list of conditions that one needs to take care of for growing hemp. Tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates are ideal. The days should be hot and nights colder to provide adequate light and darkness to your crops. Hemp grows in many kinds of soils. A loose, well-drained soil containing sufficient organic matter or loams is preferable. Talking in terms of pH, a 6.0-7.5 is good to go. Since the crop will not need gallons and gallons of water, a farm with a regular supply of water will do the job well. Places where you can imagine a vineyard will mostly be suitable for growing hemp as well.
Another major factor is the amount of labor you will need. But that depends solely on your method of cultivation. If you are using extended techniques and machinery, you will not require much labor work. However, it is different if you are going by a more traditional or orchard-style way. In that scenario, you may require intensive labor. At the time of harvesting and later curing, you may feel an added need for labor.
You should choose the right quality of seeds, and that is a significant step. It is imperative to get high-quality and certified seeds for your hemp farming endeavor. Knowing well about the genetics and strains of your seeds would help you a lot in the end. Besides, farmers should pick feminized seeds to ensure the health of the crops and profit for their pockets. If you choose reputed sources to buy your seeds, that is not something you have to fret over.
Who should grow hemp?
There is no such bifurcation between farmers who have grown a particular type of crop will grow it better. If you are well-informed about the methods you should adopt and put in worthy efforts, you can grow.
Many farmers dealing with difficulties in extracting profits from crops like wheat, corn, fruits, etc., have turned to hemp. Tobacco farmers find it relatively simpler to grow hemp because of some similarities between the two crops. Nevertheless, growing hemp is no business requiring dodging bullets to learn it well.
The internet can be your “best bud” to help you collect all the necessary information.
Conclusion
These were some of the things we thought every farmer planning to grow hemp must know. With each year, the agriculture industry is progressing to match the pace of the ever-developing world. Since new demands of products and raw materials keep emerging, making an intelligent choice at the perfect time is a must. Countries around the globe are researching hemp, and the results look positive. Because of the significantly less amount of THC content in hemp, it remains safer than other cousins. In the coming years, more states are expected to relax their laws, which will offer a bigger window of bountiful opportunities for farmers.