Hemp cultivation in open-cast mines for sustainable soil improvement and organic farming with hemp

Hemp cultivation in open-cast mines for sustainable soil improvement and organic farming with hemp The hemp plant is not only the most useful plant in the world, hemp is also a potential climate saver and can even significantly reduce global warming, climate crises and land degradation with appropriate applications. Greening Deserts projects such as the Greening Camps and research stations will use bamboo, hemp and other key plants extensively to improve soil quality and water quality.

The groundwater is protected by hemp cultivation, sustainable agriculture, organic farming and innovative water management. Only natural fertilizers are used and pesticides are avoided, there are many good alternatives. Different bamboo and hemp sorts can be used in almost every climate and under all possible conditions or events. Global hemp cultivation can generally contribute to climate, soil and water improvement as well as for a better cultivation of crops and a variety of afforestation or reforestation. The founder and project developer of Greening Camp projects has been developing these innovative and sustainable solutions for years.

Various greenhouses and research fields can be established together with the camps for education, research and product development, the projects also serve the climate, nature and environmental protection. At each camp can be special biotopes, botanical gardens, greenhouses and parks for endangered species - especially for cultivating or saving plants, insects and other animals of each climate zone or region. Climate protection, nature conservation, species protection and plant science are a few of the primary tasks.

Since the Greening Deserts Masterplan 2017 many of the innovative ideas, developments and solutions have been presented and realized - not only in relation to open-pit mines. Through connected projects, most developments and ideas have been established internationally, even if only conceptually or theoretically. Many of the developments or products can be realized with hemp, e.g. hemp books, papers, nets, tarpaulins, ropes, textiles, packaging materials and other hemp products. Hemp fibers have been used for many centuries in fishery and shipping because of their flexibility, tear resistance and resilience.

Nowadays, there are well over 50,000 industrial hemp applications, but far too few are really used. That is why many of the most useful applications are analyzed with the greening and research camps and applied accordingly.

Hemp paper, hemp wood and hemp plastic are interesting products, so like the ingredients CBD, THC, etc. - not just for science.

More information about hemp plants and hemp paper: For about 12,000 years people have been using the raw material. Hemp paper was invented in China over 2,000 years ago and reached Europe in the 13th century. For 500 years it was the most widely used raw material in papermaking. Hemp books such as the Gutenberg Bible and other well-known works were printed on hemp papers. Hemp paper is much more stable and

durable than wood paper. Hemp paper books last much longer and do not turn yellow fast. Hemp fibers are naturally lighter than wood fibers. Hemp is therefore better suited for paper production than wood.

The cannabis or hemp plant produces several times higher yields than trees in terms of cultivated area and growing time. One hectare of hemp field can replace about 120 hectares of trees. Sustainability, the forest conservation or preservation of the forests, as well as the improvement of the soils, are further advantages of hemp production. In principle, almost all varieties can be used for hemp cultivation. Particularly suitable for hemp fiber production is highgrowth industrial hemp. Depending on the variety, hemp plants can grow several meters in just three to four months.

Hemp leaves an optimal field or soil for subsequent plants. According to farmers and hemp farmers, a wheat or potato field can produce up to 20% more yield in the following year. The hemp plant is therefore a perfect catch crop and is also very well suited as a bio fertilizer. In some regions even two harvests per year are possible. Hemp is the ideal plant for ecological and organic farming or sustainable agriculture. In Germany, hemp is not allowed to grow for everyone. The cultivation of hemp is just allowed with certain permits and only for certain agricultural companies. All other companies in agriculture are not allowed to grow hemp, not even private or forestry organisations. This clearly contradicts the positive qualities and benefits for the environment, nature, medicine and society.

Further ecological and economic advantages of the raw material hemp:           

Hemp is very undemanding and grows on almost any soil, the root system loosens up the soil.

Hemp plants are very resistant to fungal attacks.

Hemp cultivation creates a slightly wetter climate, hemp fields support biodiversity, especially with respect to insects.

Hemp plants suppress weeds and improve the soil climate.

Hemp can clean up poisoned soils, sometimes even from some heavy metals.

The hemp blossom has many valuable ingredients.

The hemp plant can be fully utilized, including the foliage, flowers, seeds and stems. There are thousands of applications and products, e.g. hemp tea, hemp oil, hemp paper, hemp textiles or hemp fabrics.

Hemp fibers are very resistant and therefore usable in many areas.

Hemp fibers are among the most stable natural fibers in the world.

Hemp paper can be recycled more often than wood paper, almost every type of paper and cardboard can be made from hemp.

Hemp books, magazines and newspapers are the future!

More information you can find on the Hemp Paper project pages.

Author: Oliver Gediminas Caplikas, November, 2019