Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Depending on the species, these two pro-
duction activities may be assured by one enter-
prise or by two distinct operations. The hemp
industry is relatively small and its constituent
parts are integrated and assured by a small
number of operators (Fig. 4.8).
The same rural exodus and the arrival of
alternative exotic natural, as well as synthetic,
fibres led to the disappearance of many tradi-
tional textiles. The paper industry, which had
been using hemp (in the form of worn-out fab-
rics) as a raw material, developed its own culti-
vation programme in order to meet its own
needs in cellulose fibres.
The declared needs resulted in an
increase in cellulose fibre yields per hectare.
These demands therefore translated into an
optimum hurd yield and a maximal total fibre
concentration.
The existence of a market for hemp seeds
has also resulted in adaptations to the varieties
of fibre-producing plants so that they have
become earlier maturing, allowing the seeds to
mature simultaneously. This reflects the chal-
lenges of producing a crop with two different
products (seeds and fibre).
The absolute prohibition of the cultivation
of hemp, for public health reasons, in a number
of countries is due to the presence of the psy-
chotropic chemical delta-9-THC. In countries
where cultivation is permitted, the content of
this chemical is strictly controlled and has led to
specific selection programmes that have sought
to reduce or eliminate this chemical from culti-
vated varieties.
4.3.1
Objectives in the creation of
varieties
The situation that hemp cultivation in Europe
currently finds itself in is a direct result of the
events of the early 1960s, at which point hemp
almost disappeared from the countryside and
was saved only by a vigorous genetic (as well as
an agricultural and mechanical) response.
At this time, the rural exodus deprived the
land of the workforce that previously would
have assured the traditional harvesting of
hemp. The harvesting process, including cut-
ting, drying and pressing, had to become
mechanized.
The traditional dioecious varieties were
unable to cope with this change and a consid-
erable amount of work was conducted in order
to create monoecious varieties that would be
earlier maturing and better suited to mecha-
nized cutting.
From the creation of hemp varietals
to the transformation into products
(Situation in France)
Upstream
Number of
Stakeholders
Service
Delivered
Biotechnologies
Sourcing germplasm
1 company
Production of seeds
1 company
Cultivation
1000 producers
First transformation/
Foundation seed
3 main
companies
Downstream
Fig. 4.8. Hemp production in France.
 
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