We all love the feel of a soft cotton shirt or the comfort of cotton sheets. Since the Egyptian and Indus Valley civilisations, cotton has been a part of our lives, for thousands of years. Still, now is perhaps the best (as well as the last) opportunity for us to appreciate why the hemp versus cotton debate is so crucial.  

Here’s a fact — a single cotton t-shirt demands around 3,000 liters of water and enormous amounts of pesticide. 

Consumers are rarely aware of the serious environmental impact of cotton farming. The crop uses a lot of water and pollutes the land it grows on and the air around it. 

In every sense of the phrase, cotton is turning the land it grows on, into a desert for all practical purposes. 

Luckily there is another crop that can be a perfect substitute for cotton and is a greener alternative. It is hemp, and it gives us a glimmer of hope. This hardy and fast-growing plant is exactly what we need to replace cotton. When comparing hemp vs cotton farming, it’s clear that hemp is a more sustainable choice for arid regions.

In this article, we explore the devastating impact of cotton farming on our planet and the desertification it can cause. We also investigate the potential of hemp as a sustainable crop. 

But first, a word on cotton.

Hemp vs cotton farming – An introduction

Cotton is everywhere—on our backs, in our bedding, and even our banknotes. It’s a $50 billion industry that puts food on the table for millions of farmers worldwide. In fact, cotton farming was a major part of the American economy in the 19th century. It’s not wrong to say that cotton made America what it is today. 

Cotton is a thirsty crop

According to the Water Footprint Network, an average of 2,700 liters of water are used up to produce just one cotton tee shirt. This figure changes depending on the region and farming practices. In India, it can take over 20,000 liters of water to grow one kilogram of cotton.

So, an acre requires hundreds of thousands of liters of water. Research has shown that cotton production is the key reason for depletion of ground water in India, Pakistan, China, and the United States.

Try to imagine this and think – can farmers go on doing this forever?

This is not all. 

Time and again, advanced agro research shows how harmful cotton has proven to be, for soil. 

In North Carolina, a study of 120 cotton fields revealed varying soil health conditions.

Soil analysis in cotton-growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire showed that average total nitrogen content in topsoils of the cotton basin varied from 0.06 to 0.054%, well below the optimal range of 0.1 to 0.15%

India is not exempt from this onslaught. In districts like Yavatmal in Maharashtra, the dependence on groundwater for cotton irrigation has caused severe water scarcity. In Punjab, 72% of irrigated cotton relies on tube wells, causing groundwater levels to drop at a rate of half a meter per year. The same is true of  Haryana and Rajasthan. 

According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), a third of the world’s soil is now moderately to highly degraded. 

This is why we say that cotton is turning land into desert. 

But it is not all bad news. 

Hemp has emerged as a possible alternative. The viability of hemp vs cotton farming is a subject of ongoing research but there is clear evidence for hemp. 

This hardy crop offers an excellent solution to the problem of desertification caused by cotton farming.  

Hemp is a golden opportunity to stop the harm

First, let’s understand hemp. 

Hemp cultivation is not new. There is evidence that hemp was cultivated in China around 8,000 years ago. Hemp was popular for making nautical ropes and also paper and textiles. 

It might surprise many that the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe in 1456 CE, was printed on hemp paper.

 

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Until the end of WWII hemp was one of the most widely used textile fibers. But then it faded into obscurity because of the availability of cheap cotton and cheaper synthetic yarns. 

After a half century hemp and its potential as a sustainable crop has recently gained mainstream attention. As a fast-growing, hardy plant, hemp offers a greener path forward. For those who are eco-conscious, understanding the differences between hemp vs cotton farming is crucial. 

Hemp requires nearly one-third of the water that the same amount of cotton demands

Unlike cotton, hemp doesn’t need excessive amounts of water. 

It needs about 2,700 liters per kilogram of fiber, while cotton demands up to 10,000 liters. This difference in water usage in cotton vs hemp cultivation is quite incredible. 

Hemp is an ideal cash crop for arid regions with little rainfall. When we look at hemp vs cotton farming, hemp proves to be a better choice for regions with scarce water resources.

Hemp resists pests naturally

The debate about hemp vs cotton farming is often about the environmental impact of pesticide use. While cotton has to be constantly sprayed with pesticides, hemp requires almost none. Quite the opposite.

Hemp plant secretes natural oils that act as pest repellants. So, farmers who switch to growing hemp can also reduce pesticide use. 

Hemp improves soil health 

Hemp is not just easy on the soil. It is also possible to perform soil regeneration with hemp farming. There are many benefits of hemp farming for soil. Hemp’s deep root system, which can reach depths of up to 3 meters, plays a vital role in improving soil health and preventing erosion. 

Soil regeneration is a key area where hemp vs cotton farming practices differ significantly. Hemp is known for phytoremediation. In simple terms, this means it can remove heavy metals and other pollutants from the soil. This makes it the perfect crop for bringing back soil fertility. 

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Cotton has long been a dominant fiber. But the hemp vs cotton farming debate shows a growing awareness for more sustainable agriculture.

A future woven with hemp

The future of our planet depends on our ability to make conscious choices about hemp vs cotton farming.

By choosing hemp, we are not just choosing a crop; we are choosing a future where environmental responsibility and economic viability go hand in hand. The choice between hemp vs cotton farming will definitely impact the future health of our planet.

Of course, this shift won’t happen overnight. But by constantly choosing hemp as a material of choice we can pave the way for a greener future. 

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