A PROJECT to explore the improvement that growing hemp could have on soil quality has been launched in West Clare.
Community-based local development and farming forum Loop Head Together launched its Hemp4Soil project with the aim to vastly improve overall soil quality and benefit local biodiversity.
Based on the west Clare peninsula the group has organised the experimental project in conjunction with Hemp Co-Operative Ireland and Teagasc, the first of its kind in Europe.
The results could potentially help create sustainable income streams for the farmers involved, as well as providing a product from which offshoots could inspire local industry.
Margaret Cotter, speaking on behalf of Clare County Council’s Rural and Community Department, said, “This is a wonderful demonstration of how a small rural community can lead the way in research and real-life practice for climate initiatives and potential carbon sequestration.”
Hemp4Soil intends to use regenerative farming techniques to improve the life of soil via soil remediation, microbial life and carbon storage methods.
The main objectives of the project are to reduce the presence of chemical fertilisers, improve soil microbial activity, increase carbon content in the soil and provide training opportunities and knowledge transfer along with community dissemination.
At the project launch, held in the Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Laura J Foley MSc introduced the project concept along with Dr Kate Randall and Dr Lena Madden, who are working with
Laura on the preparation and monitoring of the soil.
They highlighted the many potential benefits to the environment, the farmer, and the wider community, as well as the potential for a follow-up “Phase 2” project which will address a regulated roll out of hemp cultivation as a farming initiative.
Ms Foley said, “Hemp has the potential to solve many of our environmental challenges, in a way that is economically beneficial to farming communities.
“Incorporating hemp cultivation and regenerative farming techniques into our traditional farming system has the potential to reduce costly inputs while creating additional revenue streams for farms.”
There would also be opportunities in a Phase 2 to look more closely at off-shoot industries and circular economy solutions that could arise around the need to lock in the carbon sequestered by crop.
Another element of the project surrounds the work of Ennis native Sinéad Madden, PhD Candidate from UL’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, who is researching Hybrid Computational
Mathematical Modelling with the goal of determining how hemp can be used for said carbon sequestration.
Sinéad’s initial findings suggest that a relatively small quantity of land devoted to hemp cultivation could offset a significant amount of our national agricultural carbon emissions – she looks forward to seeing the results of the Hemp4Soil project to fully prove her theory.
Ms Cotter commented: “This kind of leadership and drive for innovation is sustainable and climate aware practices must be contagious in Loop Head, as we see the agricultural sector rowing in behind our tourism neighbours, with their commitment to sustainability.
“This project is a first in farms in Ireland and has potential to deliver far-reaching impacts as it progresses.”
Her remarks were echoed by Tony Collins, representing Loop Head Together, who said, “Loop Head Together and Carrigaholt Development Association are delighted to be supporting this exciting experiment.
“The people of Loop Head have been brilliant as always, and the farmers are excited to see the benefits. They are looking forward to learning more around the potential for sustainable local industry.”