What to Expect from Hemp Farming
The cannabis industry continues to grow its popularity as the demand for CBD products increases. CBD’s health benefits are the significant factors that convince some individuals to involve themselves in the industry. Besides, the cannabis industry has generated about $8.65 billion for Canada’s economy in May. It has contributed to $4.66 billion to the country’s gross domestic product. If you are interested in contributing to the economy, you may engage in the cannabis industry through hemp farming.
Hemp Farming Explained
Probably, some of you are interested in hemp farming. But what does hemp farming mean? Is it similar to growing marijuana? It is essential to understand that hemp and marijuana come from the same genus, which is cannabis. The only difference is the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol found in the strains. For instance, hemp plants only contain less than 0.3% of THC, making CBD products ideal.
Careers in Hemp Farming
Hemp farming is a popular choice if you want to involve yourself in the cannabis industry. Besides, it offers high-paying careers that can provide you with a fulfilling income. For example, being a botanical specialist alone can give you an average salary of over $100,000 per year. It is according to The Manufacturer, which has featured four of the highest paying careers in the cannabis industry. If you have a degree in botany or any related course, you may consider this job.
As a botanical specialist, you are responsible for growing crops. It may include planting, trimming, and harvesting the plants. You may also need to train supervisors since the cannabis plants are incredibly sophisticated and need extra care. Besides being a botanical specialist, there are more careers that you may consider in the cannabis industry. Depending on your qualifications, you can be a cannabis consultant, cannabis extraction technician, or dispensary CFO or COO.
Hemp Farming 101
Of all the careers in the cannabis industry, you might be highly interested in hemp farming. To give you a better understanding of the industry, here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about it:
1. Is hemp farming legal?
Hemp farming is legal but not in all countries. Before planning to build a business around this industry, make sure to learn the cannabis regulations in your area. Here in Canada, hemp farming and production are allowed. As a matter of fact, there is an 80% increase in hemp production between 2016 and 2017. Many people are in hemp farming. The harvesting primarily takes place in the three provinces, including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
If you are starting the CBD business from scratch, know that you need to get a licence from Health Canada. It is a requirement for you to cultivate, sell or provide, process, and produce a derivative of hemp plants. Other than that, this license is also required for importing and exporting hemp products. You may check this link to know more about the country’s regulations in cannabis.
2. Is there specialized equipment needed for hemp production?
When it comes to hemp growing, some people use the same equipment and methods used in traditional farming. In other words, using other machinery is optional. Besides, those who are new to hemp farming start with a small land area to experiment with the production. In this way, they can find a better way to cultivate the crops. If you are in a big production, you may consider extensive farming equipment to become more efficient in cultivation, harvesting, and manufacturing.
3. What is the ideal climate, soil, and topography to make hemp farming successful?
Hemp crops grow best in temperate weather. It would be best if the location has distinctively hot summers and a cold winter outside the tropics. Ideal places are those situated away from the equator and closer to the poles. There’s no need for very high-quality soil, but you need to supply the necessary nutrients for optimal growth.
4. Are pesticides needed for growing hemp?
You can organically grow hemp crops. They only need supplemental nutrition to become healthy. Hemp plants are considered pest and disease-resistant, so you may not need pesticides for successful farming. Besides, there could be regulations in your area when it comes to hemp farming. If you plan to use pesticides, make sure to review the complete lists of herbicides and insecticides permitted on your location.
5. How much labour should be dedicated to production?
The answer to this question depends on how large the production is. For instance, if you are starting with a small farm, you may try the orchard-style operation. It requires extensive labour since two people may be needed to harvest a two-acre land. Besides, there are other processes to be considered to produce hemp products.
Meanwhile, less labour may be needed in extensive farming operations. It is because most of the processes are done using advanced equipment. Take note that you need people who are knowledgeable about operating the machines. You may also need some staff to be responsible for the overall production.
The legalization of hemp farming in Canada over the past years has provided thousands of opportunities. The industry has created thousands of jobs offering a competitive salary to many people. Having a degree in botany and other related courses can help you land a high-paying career in the cannabis industry. But even without a degree, you may still apply for relevant jobs, especially if you have the qualifications. If you are planning to start a cannabis industry, you need to familiarize yourself with the operations taking place in hemp production.