FARMERS in the Dubbo region have been briefed on the profits and benefits they could reap if they were allowed to grow industrial hemp.
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Directors of Victorian company, Textile and Composite Industries (TCI), which has been working on development of an industrial hemp industry in Australia since the 1990s, held a seminar for farmers in Trangie this week.
TCI's managing director Adrian Clarke and international marketing director Charles Kovess also briefed Federal MP for Parkes Mark Coulton, and Macquarie 2100 chair Col Hamilton.
It is currently illegal to grow hemp in Australia and New Zealand because of drug connotations.
Industrial hemp can be used for textiles and clothing, health foods and building products.
Mr Clarke and Mr Kovess said yesterday legalisation and regulation of industrial hemp could have major benefits for the region.
Farmers could earn revenue of $11,800 a hectare at a production cost of about $2000 leading to a gross profit of $9800.
The industrial hemp can be processed as it harvested. An industrial hemp industry could create hundreds of jobs in rural manufacturing sites.
Mr Kovess and Mr Clarke said hemp should not be confused with the illegal drug marijuana.
"I am frustrated about the misconceptions surrounding hemp," Mr Kovess said.
Industrial hemp paddocks would prevent nearby marijuana growers from being able to produce the drugs, as cross-pollination deprives the illicit crop of any effective THC levels.
"One of the M2100's aims is to revitalise our employment prospects and have successful and viable farms and businesses. We believe industrial hemp crops and processing of those crops in the valley goes a long way towards addressing that aim," Mr Hamilton said.
"It is not just bound to one market, like a lot of other crops are," Mr Coulton said.
"The icing on the cake would be to have every ounce of it processed in the local area before it is transported, creating permanent employment. The first step would be for farmers being able to successfully grow and process industrial hemp."
In a statement M2100 executive officer, John Ryan said this was "eminently achievable" and would not require massive government funds.
"We really just need government to get out of the way, remove the artificial roadblocks they've created over the years and let local farmers get on with the job."
