Research Spotlight: The Hemp Industry’s Biggest Knowledge Gaps
Any industry with massive potential needs more research to achieve and sustain success — and hemp is no exception.
Ironically enough, a new survey from the National Hemp Research and Education Conference confirms the need to expand what we know about hemp. The study surveyed hemp stakeholders across the country to find out what areas of research were most needed to help propel the hemp industry today and tomorrow.
The big five
Survey respondents were given a list of research topics and asked to choose the five that were most important to them. The top five prioritized research categories were:
- Hemp markets and economics (such as contracting with processors, building supply chain infrastructure, banking, and insurance)
- Regulatory compliance (such as THC limit of 0.3%, field and lab testing for THC and other cannabinoids, risk of THC accumulation, pollen flow, and pesticide drift)
- Human nutritional quality and health properties
- Flower quality (such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and color)
- Seed characteristics and considerations (such as germination, dormancy, shelf life or stability, certified seed or clones, cost, and quality of seed)
Market research is critical.
Survey results also cement market research’s importance in hemp. Stakeholders cited market research as a top priority; 94% indicated market research on CBD as “very or extremely important.”
Other critical areas for market research included alternative cannabinoids (75%), food products (65%), hempseed oil (57%), fiber products (54%), hemp biofuels (53%), hemp proteins (56%), and hemp animal feed (49%). Additional suggestions for market research needs included textiles, THC, construction materials, bioremediation, bioplastics, health benefits, and public opinion.
Where does your business fit in?
Consider this chain of events: Success in the hemp industry is fueled by more research, robust research thrives on data — and good data starts with the tools your business uses to collect it.
Seed-to-sale tracking software that’s comprehensive and organized can play a small but critical role in demystifying the broader hemp industry’s knowledge gaps — one business at a time. At KLER, we see a world where businesses everywhere can improve their operations and contribute to research through data.
That means enhancing visibility across the entire supply chain, from crop management and toll processing to inventory tracking, wholesale visibility, chain of custody, lab testing results, vendor tracking, bill of materials, and top-of-the-line data reporting.
If you’re ready to get serious about data, KLER can help. Click here to learn more and schedule a demo today!
Source: Ellison, S. (16 December 2020). Hemp Research Priorities: Opinions From United States Hemp Stakeholders.
