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Hemp: an alternative source of fibre for Nova Scotia
Sara K. Francis
Canadian Industrial Hemp Council (CIHC), 2381 Hunter St.,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 4V7
tel.: 902/423-1661, fax: 902/494-3728, e-mail: skfranci@is2.dal.ca
The undertaking of this thesis research was
inspired by a desire to investigate the environmental claims made about the potential for
industrial hemp to ameliorate and even cure environmental problems. My interest was
piqued after I began my research on industrial hemp and discovered that Nova Scotia is
believed to be the first place in North America where hemp was introduced, and
furthermore, research had been conducted at several research stations in the province
during the 1920s. Thus, I decided to undertake the challenge of investigating the
suitability and sustainability of industrial hemp as a new commercial fibre crop for Nova
Scotia.
I found that the increased attention industrial
hemp receives from the environmental sector can be attributed to several factors, among
which are environmental quality concerns within the forestry and agricultural sectors.
The forestry issue centers around an enhanced awareness of the environmental
impacts associated with the cultivation and harvesting of trees for pulp production.
These impacts can be attributed to the use of chemical herbicides and insecticides,
the loss of wildlife habitat, and the potential for erosion on clear-cut sites. The
use of herbicides in Nova Scotia is more intense than in any other region of Canada, and
the increased rate of herbicide usage in the Atlantic region is believed to be a direct
result of tree plantations.
In the agricultural sector, the development of
intensive commercial practices has also had an effect on the environment. This form
of agriculture has a great dependence on the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and
fertilizers in order to obtain high yields. The use of improper agricultural
practices can also lead to increased soil erosion and the subsequent sedimentation of
lakes and rivers.
The use of non-wood materials as a source of
fibre is receiving increased attention, mainly in order to alleviate some of the pressures
associated with forestry, and to make agriculture more sustainable. Some of the
non-woods that are receiving attention in Canada include: hemp, switchgrass (a perennial
crop), and straw (agricultural residue from grain and cereal production). The main
purpose of my thesis research was to evaluate hemp as an alternative fibre source that
could reduce the impact of forestry and agriculture on the environment, while meeting the
needs of Nova Scotias pulp and paper industry.
Three goals were established for this thesis
research. The first was to investigate the characteristics of hemp as an industrial
crop. This was necessary, as the amount of current information on industrial hemp
cultivation is quite limited and was achieved, in part, by sending out surveys to many
hemp farmers around the world. Approximately 50 of these very comprehensive surveys
were sent out, and in the end, 14 surveys were returned. When the results were
compiled they confirmed much of the claims made in the hemp literature from the turn of
the century. Thus, I was able to conclude that:
Information from these surveys allowed evaluation of the agronomic requirements of hemp. The second goal could then be addressed, which was to determine the suitability of Nova Scotia for growing industrial hemp. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), the suitability of Nova Scotias soils for industrial hemp was evaluated. Factors such as drainage, slope, rockiness, and soil type were assigned a rating of good, fair, poor, or unsuitable for commercial industrial hemp production (see Fig. 1). Maps were then produced at two levels, based on the suitability information. Initially, a generalized map of the province was produced to show specific areas where hemp may be grown (MAP 4-A). Following this, one of the suitable areas was selected to show in more detail where hemp could be grown incorporating present land use (MAP 4-F). Limitations were also outlined so that potential hemp farmers could examine a region and visually determine the greatest limitation to hemp farming in a particular area (e.g., drainage, rockiness, slope...)
Figure 1.
Suitability of soiltypes for hemp cultivation.
The third goal was to evaluate several sources of fibre and their relative potential to contribute to a sustainable agricultural system. Based on sustainable agriculture literature, nine criteria were developed. The results of this evaluation allowed the following conclusions:
In the end, it was concluded that hemp has a
high potential to contribute to a sustainable agricultural system and could provide
several benefits to agricultural systems in general. Interest has now developed
surrounding the use of industrial hemp to lengthen crop rotations, especially for potato
production.
Though hemp will not likely replace all the
tree based pulp produced in the province, there is sufficient land in Nova Scotia for some
degree of hemp production as a fibre source. It is believed that one of the most
beneficial sectors for industrial hemp in this province would be within the recycled paper
industry, where hemp could add strength to recycled paper pulp.
Through this thesis research, many of the
environmental claims made about hemp were found to be based in fact, though sometimes
exaggerated in the popular literature. Industrial hemp was also found to have a high
potential as an additional, alternative source of fibre for a variety of products that
could be produced in Nova Scotia.