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Hemp Farming: Sustainable and High Quality Agriculture

The cultivation of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.), has gained attention in recent decades due to its versatile applications, ranging from the manufacture of textiles and biocomposite products to its use in the food and cosmetics industry. However, beyond its economic utility, hemp is also presented as a potentially sustainable crop, provided it is managed with appropriate agricultural practices. In this sense, scientific research has shown that hemp can be grown organically, contributing to soil regeneration, reducing the water footprint and improving biodiversity on farms.

Sustainable agricultural practices

  • Efficient Use of Water: Adaptation to the Tropical Climate

Costa Rica's tropical climate, which alternates between wet and dry zones, demands careful management of water resources. Although hemp requires water for its growth, it is considerably more resistant to drought than other commercial crops, making it an ideal choice for areas with warm climates and well-drained soils.

One of the most effective practices to promote sustainability in the country is the implementation of drip irrigation systems. This system allows for a more precise distribution of water, which reduces waste and ensures that the roots absorb the optimal amount.

 

  • Crop Rotation and Polyculture: Diversification and Improvement of Soil Fertility

Hemp is a fast-growing crop that, in addition to offering a short-term harvest, has a positive impact on soil health. Its ability to adapt to diverse conditions makes it an excellent candidate to be part of crop rotation practices, which help maintain soil fertility without the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Alternating hemp with crops such as legumes (e.g. beans or soybeans) can enrich the soil with nitrogen, thus promoting agricultural biodiversity.

Crops will be grown under a rotating mixed cropping scheme, ensuring that the stability and yield of industrial hemp crops are not compromised. Thanks to its non-competitive nature, hemp can be integrated without affecting other crops. In addition, hemp has the biological ability to regulate the soil, promoting the creation of beneficial microbiota and the formation of a humus layer that, in turn, favors the growth of the other crops. This approach contributes to greater fertility and a more balanced and resilient agricultural system.

Agroforestry, which combines agricultural crops with trees, is another key practice in Costa Rica. Trees not only protect the soil from erosion, but also provide shade and regulate temperature, which is beneficial for both hemp and the crops that coexist on the farm.

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  • Biological Pest Control: Promoting Local Biodiversity

The use of chemical pesticides can have adverse effects on biodiversity, especially in Costa Rica's tropical ecosystems, where there is a great diversity of flora and fauna. Therefore, biological pest control is presented as an essential strategy. Instead of resorting to chemicals, Costa Rican farmers can promote the use of natural pest predators, such as beneficial insects, and plant species that attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Studies indicate that hemp, due to its natural resistance to pests, adapts well to biological control systems. In addition, the use of cover crops on the margins of hemp fields can attract beneficial insects, which contributes to weed control without the need for chemical herbicides.

 

  • Organic Fertilization: Reducing the Environmental Footprint

Hemp does not require high levels of chemical fertilization, making the organic fertilization option a more sustainable alternative. Farmers can take advantage of composting agricultural waste, animal manure and even urban organic waste to enrich the soil, promoting the circular economy and decreasing dependence on external inputs.

Different published research shows that the use of organic fertilizers, such as compost and manure, improves soil structure, increases its capacity to retain water and promotes greater microbiological biodiversity. This not only reduces the need for chemicals, but also improves the overall sustainability of crops.

Security and Traceability

Our Mobile Pre-Extraction and Field Analysis Unit optimizes the safety and traceability of crops by allowing the processing of plant material directly in the cultivation plots. This system eliminates the risk of improper handling or diversion to unauthorized facilities, guaranteeing stricter control from the beginning of the process.

 

Key benefits in safety and traceability:

  1. Prevention of illicit uses: By carrying out pre-extraction at the same cultivation site, the risk of the material being diverted for illegal purposes is considerably reduced, which ensures greater transparency and traceability throughout the production chain.

  2. Real-time control: The mobile unit allows constant monitoring of plant material, ensuring that each step of the process adheres to current regulations and the highest safety standards.

  3. Logistics efficiency: In addition to improving safety, this solution optimizes logistics by eliminating the need to transport large volumes of crops to distant plants, reducing costs and transportation times.

Research and development (R+D):

  • High Production Efficiency Cannabis Strains

According to studies conducted by INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology), several cannabis varieties have been identified as the most efficient in terms of dry flower production for phytocannabinoid extraction. These varieties will serve as the basis for the creation of the state's official germplasm bank:

CCB2020DO: 345.2 g of dry flower per plant

CQD2020DO: 323.9 g of dry flower per plant

Based on these strains, our project aims to advance Research and Development (R+D) to create our own genetics that are even more efficient, especially with regard to the concentration of phytocannabinoids and the reduction of vegetative times. The goal is to achieve yield levels similar to European and North African standards, where current varieties produce between 800 g and 1,500 g of dry flowers per plant.

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  • Development of a proprietary variety: Flowers and cuttings from mother plants

As part of the genetic improvement process, the project seeks to develop a proprietary variety that is distinguished by its superior characteristics. Using mother plants, we can obtain clones with the same qualities repeatedly, which ensures uniformity and consistent quality in each harvest.

Mother plants: This process allows us to replicate the same desired characteristics in each crop cycle, ensuring the continuity of the best genetic properties.

In addition, a database of CBD genetics from various parts of the world will be included, which will expand the possibilities of genetic selection and allow crosses with high-potential strains.

 

  • Genetic improvement process and development of new varieties:

Extraction and characterization of cannabinoids: An exhaustive analysis of the most concentrated cannabinoids (more than 80 types identified in the plant's resin) and terpenes (more than 140 types that the plant synthesizes during its flowering cycle) will be carried out. This process aims to determine the most effective options for our genetic crosses, in order to obtain the best cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

 

  • Genetic crosses:

Crosses will be carried out through forced pollination, somatic embryogenesis and implantation of cuttings, using both native and foreign varieties with CBD genetics. This approach will allow the development of new varieties adapted to local conditions and market demands.

 

  • Creation of a Germplasm Bank: Basis for Research and Development

A fundamental aspect of this project is the creation of a Germplasm Bank, which will act as a pillar for the entire R&D process in plant genetics. This bank will store somatic samples of the varieties with CBD genetics, as well as certified seeds acquired in international markets.

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  • Key features of the germplasm bank

Genetic diversity: The germplasm bank will be made up of samples of native and foreign varieties, thus creating a diverse and high-value genetic repository for continuous improvement.

Raw material for industrial crops: This bank will be a key source of cuttings and seedlings for industrial cannabis crops. It will guarantee the continuous reproduction of the best genetic characteristics, ensuring consistent yield and quality in each harvest.

Boost to research and development: The samples stored in the bank will be essential for the development of new genetics, genetic improvement and obtaining more efficient varieties, which will allow constant progress in the quality and quantity of production.

This Germplasm Bank will play a crucial role in the conservation, improvement and perpetuation of the most efficient cannabis varieties. By ensuring the reproduction of the best genetic characteristics, it will contribute to sustainable, consistent and high-quality production in the long term.

Types of Hemp and their differences

Hemp is a versatile plant that has been used for centuries in a wide variety of industries. From textile manufacturing to industrial and medicinal applications, hemp offers numerous possibilities. Although all varieties of hemp come from the Cannabis species, there are different subspecies that are cultivated for specific purposes, depending on their characteristics and properties.

The Cannabis genus includes three main subspecies: Cannabis sativa , Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis . Each of these varieties has particular characteristics that determine their uses and applications.

  • Cannabis sativa : This subspecies is the most widely used for the production of industrial hemp due to its low THC content (less than 0.2%) and high fiber production. It is ideal for the manufacture of textile products, construction materials and biofuels.

  • Cannabis indica : Although it also belongs to the Cannabis sativa species, this strain has a higher THC content, making it more suitable for recreational and medicinal uses. It is not commonly used in industrial hemp production, but is popular in the manufacture of products that seek the psychoactive effects of THC.

  • Cannabis ruderalis : This subspecies is characterized by its low THC content and its ability to flower quickly, regardless of light conditions. Although it is not widely used in industrial hemp production, it is crossed with other subspecies to improve the plants' resistance and speed up their growth cycle.

Hemp varieties and applications

Currently, the two main varieties of hemp cultivated are industrial hemp and medicinal hemp, each with specific characteristics and uses:

1. Industrial Hemp

Industrial hemp comes primarily from Cannabis sativa , a variety that stands out for its production of long and resistant fibers. This plant is used in various industries due to its low THC content (less than 0.2%), which makes it legal for cultivation in many regions of the world. Some of its applications are:

  • Textiles : Thanks to its long, strong fibers, hemp is used in the manufacture of clothing, sheets, ropes, and other durable textiles. Plus, hemp is biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly choice for sustainable fashion.

  • Construction materials : Hemp is used in the creation of "hemp concrete", a lightweight, insulating and resistant material, ideal for ecological construction.

  • Biofuels: Its rapid growth and high productivity make hemp an excellent raw material for the production of biofuels.

  • Eco-friendly plastics: In a world looking for more sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic, hemp is used to produce biodegradable, durable and lightweight plastics.

 

2. Medicinal Hemp

Medical hemp is grown with the aim of obtaining a higher concentration of cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol), which has therapeutic properties. Although its THC content may be higher than that of industrial hemp, it remains within legal limits in many countries, some of its applications are;

  • Therapeutics: CBD derived from medicinal hemp is used in a wide range of products intended to relieve chronic pain, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and treat skin conditions such as acne or dermatitis.

  • Cosmetics: CBD oils and creams are popular in the cosmetics industry for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin moisturizing properties.

  • Food supplements: Hemp seeds are an excellent source of nutrients, including protein, essential fatty acids, and fiber. They are used in the manufacture of food products and nutritional supplements.

Environmental benefits of hemp cultivation

Hemp is the most efficient plant in fixing CO2. One hectare of hemp crops absorbs the same amount of CO2 as five hectares of trees (47 tons per year). In addition, the production of one ton of hemp paper saves the felling of 15 mature trees (over 40 years old). This plant has self-defense mechanisms against certain types of pests, which significantly reduces the need for phytosanitary treatment. It also contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change. Hemp is also able to absorb heavy metals and chemical residues from the soil, making it a highly beneficial plant for land decontamination. During its flowering, the bee population in the ecosystem increases, which favors biodiversity. In addition, its terpenes act as natural repellents for some insect pests. On the other hand, hemp plays a key role in the stabilization and regulation of soils thanks to its great capacity to capture nutrients through its roots and metabolism. Its cultivation can be alternated with that of other plant species for human consumption, especially grasses and legumes, promoting crop rotation and agricultural sustainability.

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