Hemp growers show way to a sunny future

Whether we like it or not, the world and its climate is changing. One effect of this is the opportunity to grow new crops where they wouldn’t normally have succeeded. With bananas popping up in Gisborne and pineapples in Northland, weather and scientific changes are prompting growers to find innovative ways of diversifying their land. At the same time, as producers find new uses for plants such as industrial hemp, doors are opening to sunrise industries that have previously been tucked away in niche markets or overseas.

As many early adopters of new crops or cropping techniques have discovered, it can be both exceptionally daunting and rewarding taking the leap into something completely new for your property. The risk averse approach is always to be the second mouse — they get the cheese and avoid the mouse trap. Fortunately, some crops are already beginning to prove their worth and are opening opportunities for a wider range of farmers or growers. One such crop is industrial hemp or iHemp. While there is an incorrect association between the uses of industrial hemp and its cousin, recreational cannabis, it is important to understand that even though the two are related genetically, they are very different end-use plants. With 19 approved cultivars in New Zealand, the iHemp industry has been quietly growing in size and capability for 20 years. As of May 2021 there were over 2,500 hectares planted throughout New Zealand. Growers have chosen iHemp as a regular part of their arable rotational programme, to complement their current programmes for diversity and to avoid successive plantings of same crop types. In addition, growers are exploring the possibility for iHemp to act as a catch crop for potential nutrient leaching or as a phytoremediation crop to help remove and remediate unwanted residues. The crop is also grown and harvested for use in topical skin products, haircare and food. iHemp is not used at a pharmaceutical level and must operate under tight guidelines to maintain product integrity and end use. Although many hemp products can be consumed, they are categorised as supplements and don’t make any medicinal claims towards correction and treatment of diagnosable illnesses. There will always be a perception of iHemp as a controversial crop but the industry is working hard on education, clarification and demystifying to improve its reputation so that it is known as just another arable crop with proven genetics, performance and markets. Within the NZ Hemp Export Driven Investor Report, Dr Nick Marsh from Next Corporation, in association with the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) explored a strategic path for iHemp in New Zealand and what a successful sector strategy development would look like. The report investigated scenarios with two possibilities — the status quo and secondly, if the current laws were

Thought leadership from Farmlands’ Head of Future Land and Food, Gaz Ingram, on the opportunities created by new crops such as industrial hemp.

Sunrise industries are exciting, and the potential to create a whole new business is there for those brave enough to give it a go.”

| Hemp is one example of a sunrise industry moving into mainstream markets.

changed allowing for the extraction and processing of cannabidiol (CBD) for health and nutraceutical products. Both scenarios forecast future export earnings from $500 million up to $2 billion, indicating increasing interest in natural, plant-based supplements. The crop is one example of a sunrise industry moving into mainstream markets. Thinking outside the box has proven a success throughout history. When conversations about industrial sheep and goat milking were happening around the table, it may have been considered a bit left field. Look at those industries now — they are established within the market and the end-use products are welcomed by consumers. For those of you considering or even venturing into diverse crops like iHemp, peanuts, bananas, pineapples, quinoa or bamboo, well done for imagining a different future for your business, property and family. The future of food and fibre is sitting in your hands and while it is safer to be the second mouse, don’t let an opportunity pass you by. Sunrise industries are exciting, and the potential to create a whole new business is there for those brave enough to give it a go — you could be a pioneer of the agribusiness sector. Have the conversation, scope it out and give us a call, we’re here to help.

WHERE’S THE TRAP?

Potential issues when considering a new crop:

• What do I do with it? • How do I market it? • Who will buy it? • What are the benefits? • Most importantly – who knows how to grow it?

| Peanuts ready for harvest.