The Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance will get federal support to finance research into hemp varieties suited to different regions and to promote hemp products on international markets.

“Investments like these will help Canadian farmers tap into growing demand for hemp, diversify their businesses, and capture new revenue sources,” said MP Blaine Calkins, (Wetaskawin), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

An investment of more than $64,000 from the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) will be used to test and evaluate different hemp varieties across Canada for their food and non-food uses. This project will help the industry identify the best hemp varieties to grow in each region for grain yield and fibre yield.

A second investment of over $31,000 through the AgriMarketing Program will support the CHTA in growing Canada’s presence in new and existing international hemp markets. It will help the CHTA develop promotional material, participate in key international tradeshows, attract new clients, and undertake market research to identify market opportunities.

“It is the goal of the Canadian Hemp Industry to grow 100,000 acres of hemp by 2015, which represents more than $100 million to the Canadian economy” said Markus Schmulgen, president of CHTA. “In order to achieve this goal, effective investments into research and development and marketing efforts are vital. The funds provided by AIP and the AgriMarketing program will enable the CHTA to assist industry in reaching our objective.”