Peter Vodal grows hemp in the Poloniny area under the HempBona brand
Family business HempBona
Pčoliné September 11 (TASR) - This year, the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA) registers 55 entities in Slovakia that grow hemp on a total area of 135 hectares. Among them are the couple Silvia and Peter Vodal from the village of Pčoliné in the Snina district. According to them, this commodity has great potential and is in significant demand. "In Slovakia, we have wonderful climatic conditions for growing so-called technical hemp. It has also coped with this year's extreme drought without any problems. However, we must overcome the demonization of this plant. It is not marijuana, it does not contain psychotropic substances," Vodal emphasized, adding that it is a broad-spectrum plant. In addition to the food sector, it is also used in industry, including construction. At the same time, it significantly cleans the air of CO2 and thus contributes to reducing the carbon footprint. Pictured is Peter Vodal in a hemp field in Pčoliny in the Snina district on August 21, 2022. Together with his wife, he cultivates technical hemp, which is in great demand.
PHOTO TASR - Jana Ďurašková
Slovakia lacks processing capacities
They started growing hemp out of curiosity six years ago, and currently farm an area of ten hectares. According to him, to be able to cover the needs of the Slovak market alone, they would have to grow hemp on an area ten times larger. For example, the farmers produce hemp oil, peeled seeds and protein. From the stalk, they obtain husks and fiber, which are in demand in the construction industry, but also in the textile and paper industries. "A hectare of technical hemp can produce around ten tons of biomass in three months. It can also be used to produce eco-pellets or briquettes," he said, adding that some also use it to make biodegradable cutlery or trays. He sees the problem in the absence of processing capacities in Slovakia, and they have to export the material for this purpose. "Processing lines cost hundreds of thousands of euros. We are participating in various calls and European projects. We are working to bring the technology here for processing, especially hemp straw, which is in great demand," he explained. According to him, this would also contribute to increasing employment in the region. This family business employs two to three people a year, and around ten during the harvest or processing of hemp. The HempBona farm produces various health-beneficial products from organically grown hemp.
Increasing employment in the region
They currently have an old borrowed decorticator, which is a device for the primary processing, crushing and breaking of hemp straw. "It is not fully functional, it is a reconditioned machine, but it can process the stem. Unfortunately, not in 100 percent quality. We are waiting to see if we will be approved for money for newer technology, which would ensure year-round operation," he explained, adding that this would allow them to employ more people on their hemp farm throughout the year, and other farmers could also get involved. Compared to last year, according to data from the PPA, the area on which hemp is grown has decreased by more than half. Over the past eight years, it was cultivated to the greatest extent in 2017, when 53 entities registered an area of more than 477 hectares. Video