Hemp or medicinal hemp is domesticated species of cannabis sativa plant, which is specifically cultivated for commercial use. It was first discovered by the ancient Egyptians as an ideal replacement for fiber and textile manufacturing. Hemp is mostly cultivated for its seeds and used for making linen, ropes, hair cloth, canvas etc. In India, this medicinal hemp plant has been discovered at the Vedas, where he was described as one of the sacred five plants. In other parts of India too, the plant is extensively grown as a cash crop.
It is an efficient crop that not only provide food and raw material but also assist in agricultural production, increases livestock returns, occupies additional space and facilitates rural development and is a great factor for improved infrastructure all over India. Hemp is extensively grown in the North, South and West Bengal and has shown significant contribution to agriculture. The demand for pharmaceuticals, textiles and machinery required for agricultural farming is high in India and farmers in several parts of the country are utilizing the benefits of hemp. Hemp is now being extensively used in all stages of agricultural production: consumption, manufacturing, advertising, packaging, engineering, food and chemicals sector.
Medicinal Hemp is primarily used for treating maladies like bronchitis, diarrhea, cough, asthma, insomnia, cancer and other diseases. Hemp seeds and oil are considered to be the best source of therapeutic proteins. Indian Hemp Drugs is a valuable source of raw material, as it contains a lot of useful enzymes, vitamins and minerals and is rich in amino acids, protein, fatty acids, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals and trace elements. The essential oil of the hemp oil is known as ‘Vetiver’, which is used in the treatment of neurological problems.
Hemp in India is of huge value for its seed and oil, as it forms essential ingredients in various types of food and drinks and is valued for its fiber content. The demand for the Indian Hemp Drugs is continuously increasing and its demand in the global market too is increasing. Indian Hempsters are widely utilized as feed ingredients in dairy, food, animal feed and horticulture industries. For the same reason, these products have gained a high level of popularity among the customers all over the world.
Hemp is cultivated in several locations in India including Aravalli (Uttaranchal), Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Ladakh, Mizoram, Assam and also on the lease or plantations of more than sixty thousand acres in various parts of India. In the state of Maharashtra (Maharajasthan) the maximum number of Hemp plantations is found. The highest concentration of the Hemp plantations can be found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Rajasthan. Maharashtra is a major producer of Hemp and the second largest producer of Maratha Hemp. The use of hemp products has been extensively found in Maharashtrians house furnishing.
The use of hemp seeds and oil is restricted in some parts of the country like Punjab and Gujarat. The cultivation of the Hemp plant is strictly prohibited in Tamil Nadu state, because of the fear of crop damage and Hemp field cultivation and mining of Natural Resources by the Bioreactolvers in Tamil Nadu state, has been restricted in Kamarakom and Andhra Pradesh states. The reason for the restriction of the use of hempseed oil is the fear of eco-exploitation, but there are still areas where it is extensively used and the use of it is not limited due to the availability of raw materials. The usage of hemp oil as an ingredient is not new in India, but its widespread use across the country has created quite a buzz in the market.
The most commonly used ingredient in the Indian cooking is the “Indian Hemp Meal” or” Hemp Dish”. “Indian Hemp Meal” is made from finely chopped raw Hemp seeds, which have a consistency more like mashed potatoes than the seeds of the Hemp plant. There are many companies in India that are dedicated to the production of saliva or “Hemp Oil” from Hemp. There are many companies in India who are specialized in manufacturing “Hemp in India” and” Hemp in America”, which are basically Satliva concentrated ghee in a Hemp plant. Greenjams too, which is another ingredient of Indian Satvad, is made from the stems of” Hemp plant” and is often included in “Harmone” based soaps, face creams, hair care products and other skin care products.
If hemp is so efficient and very resourceful it is time for India to embrace Hemp with open arms and include it in its economy seriously. It is one crop that has been able to adapt to our highly climate-dependent world and will thus continue to prove itself a great sustainable crop in future. The benefits of hemp as a sustainable crop is immense and India has the potential to become a world leader in the field of “Harmonizing India”. This will not only bring tremendous jobs to India but also help to keep India’s economy on track to becoming the next superpower.
