Hemp-match

In Flanders, hemp is cultivated for its long fibres (textiles, cf. flax) or for technical applications (construction, manufacturing industry). There is currently no link between these chains, whereby, for example, shives and short fibres from a flax scutching line are used for technical applications. However, linking these chains could be very valuable in scaling up hemp cultivation and making it profitable. In addition, there is a lack of suitable harvesting machines, processing lines for technical applications and structural partnerships. As a result, both the sales opportunities and the financial returns for farmers remain uncertain. In France, 20,000 hectares of hemp are cultivated for a variety of applications. Farmers there collaborate extensively and share harvesting machines, which contributes to an efficient and profitable hemp sector. In Flanders, we also want to establish sustainable partnerships to strengthen the chain. To make this possible, an exploratory trip to France is being organised. Through visits and surveys (which take into account both business and legal aspects as well as insights into barriers and levers for behavioural change), we want to work with the participants (farmers, businesses and researchers) to understand the gaps and challenges for the lack of Flemish partnerships based on their learnings and good practices. These insights form the basis for a SWOT analysis that will be explored in depth with the participants of the trip and new stakeholders. This process lays the foundations for an EIP partnership and thus contributes to the development of a profitable hemp value chain and the upscaling of hemp cultivation in Flanders.