HEMP

by: Ikhsan hasibuan

Hemp (Cannabalis sativa L.) is the plant for producing clothing, paper, household textiles, food, rigging, fishing nets, canvas and food. This crop has big potential to grow organically as an alternative to change cotton crop. Hemp has already cultivated many years ago as industrial crop to supply raw material for sail industry and textiles. But, production of hemp became decline because of decline of sailing industry and competing with cheaper alternatives fibers.

Nowadays, hemp returns as important fiber crop. Hemp requires little to no pesticides, replenishes soil with nutrients and nitrogen, considering how fast it grows. Furthermore, Hemp could be used to replace many potentially harmful products, such as tree paper.

Hemp has wide range of uses for example seeds, woods, and fibers. Its seed can be used for paint, lighting oil, soap, cosmetic, feed and food. Its woods are good for paper, animal bedding, practical boards and lignin. And the important part of this crop is fiber that can be made quality paper, building material, and textiles.

Fiber industry requires long, thin and strong fiber. For getting this aim, many good and deep researches are needed. Some issues that can be discussed such as what is the right time of harvesting, or should we prevent flowering to get good fiber quality?