How would industrial hemp fare in...

[slor]

the arid regions of Africa? Could they ultimately help recreate a greening of those areas? Any of the many intelligent beautiful people here have any answers? Thanks!

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. I understand it is a tenacious crop that will grow almost anywhere.

And hemp can be used for its oil, its fiber and its biomass can be processed for high quality ethanol.

But no way our government will subsidize anyone growing the demon weed, no matter its benefits.

[slor]

2. That is why I am asking about Africa...

if our country is going to allow buffoons to run it, maybe we should work for other countries to do it. It is also the most effective carbon sink, from what I have read.

[Melynn]

4. I thought that hemp could be used for oil

Could be the magic bullet to ween America off foreign oil. I bet even some Freeper types would be for that. On the other hand, the big multinational corporations will never allow it to happen.

[FloridaPat]

3. Here's a neat web site that deals with food in the tropics. It's

strongly Christian/missionary, but it does have some great info and help.

http://www.echonet.org/

As for greening, look at Israel. They've done a great job and are still turning the desert into green valleys.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. It's not illegal in most countries

but production isn't very large - and has been decreasing. I doubt it's illegal in African countries either.

If you mean that research into new varieties with high yields or more desirable characteristics could produce a better type of hemp, perhaps it could. But as this report points out, at the moment there isn't much of a worldwide demand for it, so there'd be little point in encouraging its growth until it's more commercially viable. Perhaps if international agreements discourage the use of wood for paper it might be more worthwhile growing.

On edit: from the Australian report:

9.5 Irrigation

Until germination has occurred (usually 3 days after sowing), it is recommended that irrigation be applied to keep the surface soil moist. Industrial hemp is sensitive to drought and needs ample water, especially during the first six weeks of its growth (Reichert 1994). Without rain, a crop may require 2 to 6 ML of irrigation water/ hectare.