£100,000 boost for non-food crops (From Gazette & Herald)

£100,000 boost for non-food crops

YORKSHIRE Forward is putting up £100,000 towards a machine to peel (or decorticate) hemp.

The regional development agency says the building and installation of the prototype equipment is part of a project to help farmers to diversify into non-food crops.

Hemp, a natural fibre, can be used in a variety of ways: to produce textiles, biocomposites for the automotive and aerospace industries, insulation, fibre boards and hemp-based cements for building, paper for bank notes and cigarette paper.

Crambe, otherwise known as Abyssinian mustard, is seen as another potential crop. Oil is extracted from it for use in the food, beauty, and oil production industries.

Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd has been working with DEFRA to recruit farmers and growers for these two environmentally-friendly crops. Buildings at Springdale Farm, near Driffield, are being converted to house a DEFRA-funded conference and information centre.

The demonstration line will assist farmers and growers in learning about the process for growing, managing and processing the crops. They will also have an opportunity to obtain business advice from Business Link Humber.

Farmers who have already taken up the option to grow these crops will see the benefits later this year, says Yorkshire Forward, when mini processing plants could be springing up in disused farm buildings in the region to bring these new products to market in the next couple of years. The development agency believes they have a potential high demand.

By processing the newly-harvested crops on site, customers would receive their raw materials in a ready-to-use state, whilst rural communities would benefit from new local industry.

Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd works at opening up new markets for these and other non-food crops, to ensure that customers are available to farmers and growers prior to harvesting.

Andy Tordoff, head of rural renaissance for Yorkshire Forward, said: "Yorkshire Forward will work continually to support projects that will help rural communities to survive and prosper.

"If farmers and growers are prepared to adapt their working practices to meet new industry requirements, they need access to markets and business support. Hemp is a natural, environmentally-friendly material that can be used as an alternative ingredient in the production of insulation for buildings, cars and aeroplanes. "

Clifford Spencer, managing director of Springdale Farms, said: "We want to preserve the wealth of knowledge and skills that farmers have, but provide them with a viable future.

"Farmers can sign up to grow the crop safe in the knowledge that there is an end user and an agreed price. The technology required to process oil crops is relatively simple, and I would like to see farmers working in partnership to develop local processing plants."

Updated: 16:48 Wednesday, May 28, 2003