Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
ENERGY FROM HEMP? ANALYSIS OF THE
COMPETITIVENESS OF HEMP USING A
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
Claus Brodersen, Klaus Drescher and Kevin McNamara
1
1. INTRODUCTION
The objective of the study was to predict the competitiveness of regional
hemp production in Germany based on economic and agronomic factors.
Using these results in a second step, the competitiveness of hemp as a
renewable energy source was determined. In order to reach these goals, a
Geographic Information System (GIS) in combination with Linear
Programming Models was used to obtain insights in (1) yield potentials of
hemp, (2) potential cultivation locations, (3) minimum prices for hemp to
be competitive, and (4) possible effects of an increasing hemp production
on the EU budget.
Legalization of hemp production in Germany in the mid 1990s and
the establishment of an accompanying subsidy program stimulated
farmers' interest in hemp, especially since hemp subsidies were in contrast
to other crop and animal support programs unchanged (BELF 1994).
Throughout the agricultural community there has been interest in learning
about all aspects of the hemp industry, from production to marketing at the
commodity level to processing and uses at the product level. In response to
this interest, the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture commissioned a
feasibility study examining the potential for producing, processing and
using hemp in Germany. This chapter is based on a study that analyzed
potential locations and production levels for hemp in Germany. It discusses
analysis to predict regional hemp production in Germany based on both
economic and agronomic factors, as well as the competitiveness of hemp as
a renewable energy source.
Hemp production was outlawed in Germany in 1981. Prior to that
time production was limited (Filip
1997). Consequently, historical
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