German farmer bets on hemp to revive sustainable agriculture

A farmer in northern Germany is turning to hemp as a new way to boost his business. Jan Winkelmann, 32, has planted the crop on his fields between Schneverdingen and Wolterdingen. The move comes as part of a plan to create an additional source of income through sustainable farming.

Winkelmann is growing hemp as a catch crop after his grain harvest. The plants are being cultivated for a Dutch company that specialises in textile fibres from bast fibre crops like flax, nettles, and hemp. Unlike recreational cannabis, these plants contain less than 0.3 percent THC, making them non-intoxicating.

Hemp was once a key raw material in the 17th and 18th centuries but declined after restrictions were introduced. Germany banned cannabis cultivation entirely in 1929, and fibre hemp was later prohibited in 1982. However, since the re-legalisation of fibre hemp in 2022, cultivation has surged. The area used for hemp farming in Germany has more than doubled, from around 12,000 hectares in 2022 to over 25,000 hectares in 2025. Most of this growth is concentrated in Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria, which account for over 60 percent of the total. The stalks will be harvested using a maize chopper attachment, then pressed and sent to the Netherlands for processing. Hemp fibres can be used for textiles, paper, and even climate-friendly building materials. The seeds also produce oil for food, cosmetics, and medicine. Despite its low THC content, fibre hemp remains under strict state control in many countries. Winkelmann sees the crop as a way to diversify his farm and tap into a growing market for sustainable products.

Winkelmann's hemp project reflects a broader revival of the crop in Germany. With expanding cultivation areas and new industrial uses, fibre hemp is regaining its economic importance. The farmer's experiment could set an example for others looking to combine tradition with modern sustainability.