Hemp fibre is found to have been used in making cloth long before the advent of agriculture nine to 15 thousand years ago. Despite its historical significance, hemp cultivation, including for industrial purposes, is banned in Nepal.

Since its prohibition in 1976, Nepal has neither actively pursued nor considered commercial hemp cultivation. However, in some regions, farmers produce fibre and oil on a small scale.

Hemp bags, made from fibres extracted from the cannabis plant, which can grow up to 20 feet tall, are primarily produced in the western hill districts of Rolpa, Bajhang, Jumla, and Bajura.

Locals boil the plant’s stem in ash water to separate the fibre, which is then woven into fabric on handlooms. The hemp cloth is then supplied to manufacturers who use it to sew bags. Depending on quality and size, hemp bags cost between Rs600 and Rs5,000.

Besides bags, hemp can be refined into a variety of products with industrial and commercial value—products like paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastic, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.

Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a Cannabis sativa cultivar explicitly grown for industrial and consumable use in many countries.

Along with bamboo, hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth.

Recent research suggests that hemp, or bhang, could play a crucial role in Nepal’s economy, making a case for its legal cultivation and industrialisation.

A study by Nepali researchers based in Nepal, the US, and the Netherlands, published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, proposes hemp as an alternative crop that could transform Nepal’s agricultural sector.

The study estimates that Nepal could produce approximately 3.1-4.6 million tonnes of solid fuel, 0.5-0.9 million tonnes of fibre, and 126-174 million litres of biodiesel annually.

The estimated solid fuel could account for 8.6-12.3 percent of Nepal’s total energy demand, while biodiesel could meet 7.3-10.1 percent of the country’s diesel consumption.

Researchers suggest about 1.8 million hectares of land is suitable for hemp cultivation.

The research estimates that hemp cultivation would cost $3,177 per hectare, generating an income of $10,450 and yielding a net profit of $7,273 per hectare.

Lead author Sagar Kafle, assistant professor at Purwanchal Campus, Tribhuvan University, and a PhD student at Auburn University, US, stated that hemp could be commercially grown on 0.28 million hectares of land, considering the soil and climatic parameters.

The research highlights a surge in global interest in hemp production and industrialisation due to its multiple benefits. However, Nepal lacks adequate agronomic information and production guidelines to cultivate industrial hemp.

According to Purushottam Gyawali, a PhD student at Texas A&M University, US, Nepal’s production cost of hemp is lower than that of countries like Turkey and the US, making it a profitable alternative crop.

The study identifies hill regions as the most suitable for hemp cultivation, accounting for approximately 71 percent of the designated land, followed by the Tarai region at 28 percent and the mountainous areas at only about 1 percent.

By province, Koshi holds the highest potential for hemp cultivation, followed by Lumbini, while Sudurpaschim has the least potential.

Considering soil, elevation, climate, and road networks, the study classifies the identified areas into high, moderate, and low potential zones, with most of the land falling under moderate potential zones.

From the identified feasible areas, the study estimates an annual biomass production potential of 8.7 million tonnes, fibre production of 0.7 million tonnes, and seed production of 0.5 million tonnes.

Professor Sushil Adhikari, director of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts at Auburn University, US, notes that approximately 4.1 million tonnes of solid fuel, including pellets and briquettes, could be produced, potentially meeting about 10 percent of Nepal’s energy consumption.

Additionally, 150 million litres of biodiesel could be generated annually from hemp oil, covering more than 8 percent of the country’s diesel requirements.

Solid fuels could address industrial thermal energy needs, while biodiesel can be blended with conventional diesel to reduce imports and greenhouse gas emissions.

Hemp cultivation offers several environmental benefits, including soil and water conservation, reduced chemical usage, carbon sequestration, and enhanced biodiversity, making it a more sustainable alternative to traditional crops, according to Dilli Ram Bhattarai, a PhD student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, US.

Assistant professor Prajal Pradhan at the University of Groningen states that hemp cultivation can increase farmer incomes, replace fossil fuels with bio-energy, and mitigate climate change. It also has the potential to create jobs, foster innovation, promote eco-friendly products, and conserve biodiversity.

Despite its many advantages, hemp cultivation remains illegal in Nepal as it is classified under the same legal restrictions as marijuana.

Although both belong to the same species, hemp has a significantly lower tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content (0.3 percent or less), making it non-psychoactive. While the global hemp market expands, many countries are lifting restrictions to harness its economic and environmental benefits.

In 2020, Nepal’s Parliament registered motions on legalising cannabis for medical purposes, and the government allocated funds for feasibility studies and legal frameworks.

However, social entrepreneur Saurav Dhakal points out that the initiative lacks clarity in distinguishing hemp from marijuana and that the absence of a clear action plan may delay the legalisation process.

He emphasises the vital role of local governments in promoting hemp cultivation, as Nepal’s constitution empowers them to manage resources.

“These findings highlight hemp’s economic and environmental benefits and support its legalisation and industrialisation in Nepal. Additionally, hemp products could be utilised in the Nepali market. The government should thus prioritise legalising hemp cultivation,” said Kafle.