Hemp could be the solution for unemployment in Békés County

While many people only associate hemp with illegal drugs, there are actually nearly 25 thousand ways it can be used. It once used to be grown in the third biggest land in Hungary; however, its production was greatly diminished in recent years.

Now it seems like hemp is making a comeback in Békés County, where a public work programme tries to bring the hemp industry back to life, reports Hello Vidék. Thanks to that programme, a new industrial park could be designated to hemp production in a few years.

Hemp production used to have a great tradition in Hungary where it was grown on 23 thousand hectares, falling short behind sugar beet and sunflowers. Following the transition, this number decreased, and the Hungarian hemp industry ceased to exist in 2007.

While hemp is an incredibly versatile plant, it is also very labour-intensive. It is still harvested by hand in most places.

Hemp could replace paper and is a great material for the textile industry. Hemp seed oil has many health benefits and is used in cosmetics and potentially as biodiesel. Hemp seed flour is a great flour substitute if you are gluten-intolerant. Hemp is also a great insulation material.