Michels Marius, Brinkmann Adrian, Mußhoff Oliver
Farm Management Group, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University Goettingen, D-37073, Goettingen, Germany.
Farm Management Group, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University Goettingen, D-37073, Goettingen, Germany.
J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug;389:126117. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126117. Epub 2025 Jun 13.
Hemp cultivation is experiencing a resurgence in Europe, with the European Commission identifying it as a strategic crop for achieving Green Deal objectives. This study investigates opportunities and challenges of hemp cultivation from German farmers' perspectives across all three sustainability pillars. We conducted qualitative interviews with 14 agricultural enterprises across northern Germany in 2024, analyzing data through deductive category formation. Economic findings reveal opportunities through diversified revenue streams and reduced input costs, though scale requirements and market uncertainties present challenges. Ecologically, farmers confirm hemp's benefits for soil health and reduced chemical inputs, while noting specific management requirements for water and soil conditions. Social acceptance is improving when hemp is effectively distinguished from the drug cannabis, though regulations and conservative attitudes remain barriers for adoption. Success in hemp cultivation requires establishing stable market structures, developing region-specific management practices, and implementing effective knowledge transfer programs. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of European farmers' experiences with hemp cultivation and offers practical insights for policymakers, farmers, and industry stakeholders while connecting farmer perspectives with European Green Deal objectives.
大麻种植在欧洲正经历复兴，欧盟委员会将其认定为实现绿色协议目标的战略作物。本研究从德国农民的角度，在所有三个可持续发展支柱方面调查了大麻种植的机遇与挑战。2024年，我们对德国北部的14家农业企业进行了定性访谈，通过演绎类别形成来分析数据。经济方面的研究结果显示，通过多元化收入来源和降低投入成本存在机遇，尽管规模要求和市场不确定性带来了挑战。在生态方面，农民确认大麻对土壤健康有益，并减少了化学投入，同时指出了对水和土壤条件的特定管理要求。当大麻与毒品大麻有效区分时，社会认可度正在提高，尽管法规和保守态度仍然是采用大麻的障碍。大麻种植的成功需要建立稳定的市场结构，制定针对特定地区的管理做法，并实施有效的知识转移计划。本研究首次全面分析了欧洲农民种植大麻的经验，并为政策制定者、农民和行业利益相关者提供了实用见解，同时将农民的观点与欧洲绿色协议目标联系起来。
