Armenia says will start growing industrial hemp

PanARMENIAN.Net - The government will spend AMD 1 billion (almost $2.1 million) on the cultivation of value-added specialty crops, including industrial hemp. According to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, the move will significantly boost land use in agriculture.

Avinyan said it is important that the government ensures conditions for the cultivation and processing of value-added specialty crops in the country. The Deputy Prime Minister cited industrial hemp as an example, mentioning its successful production particularly in the United States, China and Russia.

"And it's not just hemp. We will boldly push this policy forward for other crops as well," he added.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed once again that the government is pursuing the cultivation of industrial hemp, which will be grown specifically for industrial use.

Hemp is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth and can be used to make a wide range of products. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.