To gain a better insight into the reality of hemp textile cultivation, the partners in the Hemp4Circularity project go out to meet farmers. In France, Lin et Chanvre Bio is surveying hemp growers in Normandy and Hauts de France.
A multinational investigation
The Hemp4Circularity project aims to integrate long-fiber hemp into the textile value chain in Northwestern Europe. Collecting data from the field is an important challenge if we want to gain a better understanding of the hemp cultivation trajectory. In addition to the research conducted by Lin et Chanvre Bio in France, Valbiom, Hogent, and Inagro collected the same data in Belgium, and Delphy in the Netherlands. All this information will be used to analyze the climatic, technical, and economic data surrounding textile hemp cultivation in Northwestern Europe.
Collect data from the field
The research conducted by Lin et Chanvre Bio focuses on the soil characteristics of the plot, the rotation in which the textile hemp crop is grown, and the technical process.
The information requested from growers includes details of pre-sowing soil preparation and hemp plant density two to three weeks after sowing, to assess emergence success. The study also looks at the pressure exerted by crows and pigeons, which may be attracted to the seeds and young seedlings. The presence and density of weeds on the plot, as well as the duration and quality of retting, are also examined. The data is recorded for all operations, such as sowing, mowing and rolling. A crucial external parameter, the rainfall between May and July, from sowing to mowing, is taken into account in the questionnaire due to its significant impact on the final yield, both in terms of quantity and quality. All this data is then processed through in-depth statistical analyses and summarized by Hogent University.
A growing crop
The study conducted in 2023 was based on data from the 2022 harvest and involved 20 hemp growers, representing a cultivated area of 66 hectares. Although the survey for the 2023 harvest is already underway, it is expected to attract more respondents, reflecting the strong increase in the area devoted to hemp for textiles in France. The data must therefore be richer and more meaningful.
Supporting this growth
The purpose of this extensive collection of information is to improve our knowledge about textile hemp. The goal is to be able to inform and guide new growers on the best way to grow fiber hemp and to identify the mistakes to avoid, based on the experience of dozens of growers.
Finally, the data from this study will not only support farmers looking to incorporate hemp into their rotation but will also be used to contribute to the calculation of the PEF (or 'Product Environment Footprint') score for long-fiber textile hemp, to better understand its impact on the environment. Ultimately, the research, organized as part of the Hemp4Circularity project, will help shed valuable light on the reality of the hemp textile growth process, an essential step in the development of the value chain in Northwestern Europe.
Interested in the project?
Are you involved in the processing of hemp? Or are you very interested in its potential in the textile value chain? Please contact us! Numerous activities focusing on long fiber hemp will take place in the coming months. The next training for farmers will take place in winter 2024. Workshops and conferences will be organized for students and textile brands, while training will enable people to become ambassadors for long fiber hemp.
Delphy