China Calls for Hemp Investment
A senior official with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in charge of the extension of agricultural technology has suggested hemp might have great market prospects, and called on international investment on new technology. Read More
A senior official with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in charge of the extension of agricultural technology has suggested hemp might have great market prospects, and called on international investment on new technology.
According to Minister Xia Jingyuan, who is touting the hemp industry following the nation’s entry into the World Trade Organization, hemp is a major economic crop, with the annual output of Chinese linen worth more than 10 billion yuan, or US$1.2 billion.
“Chinese hemp products could be a major money-maker in markets both here and abroad,” said Xia in published reports.
According to Jingyuan:
- Ramie, once used as forage, could provide a new type of vegetable protein for livestock and boost stockbreeding of southern China.
- Red hemp used in paper making could prevent the felling of forests.
- Clothing made from hemp is comfortable to wear and poses no health hazard.
According to a report on Jingyuan’s campaign, hemp has been a staple in China for 4,000 years. Initially, only nobles and royal families could afford to wear finely spun linen; commoners “favored” coarse linen.
By 1984, Jingyuan said, “degumming technology” had made possible worldwide attention to linen products.
Reports from China cite analysts as saying that to establish a modern linen manufacturing and processing system with Chinese characteristics, China should double its efforts in scientific research and international cooperation, as each breakthrough in relevant technology would greatly develop the sector.
