Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an emerging industry that is gaining increasing attention in Australian agriculture. To help the industry grow, AgriFutures Australia invested in the development of an industrial hemp best management practice (BMP) manual and this associated gap analysis for growing, harvesting and processing hemp.
In putting together the BMP manual, gaps in information required by growers to sow, grow, harvest and initiate post-harvest processing of high-yielding and high-quality crops (for grain/seed and/or biomass) were identified. These gaps are the focus of this report, which will help prioritise future research, development and extension (RD&E) needs for the Australian industrial hemp industry. While this report is valuable now, different RD&E needs will develop as existing constraints are alleviated and new challenges arise.