The history of hemp in Russia

On the territory of Russia hemp was grown in the IX century to produce fiber (hemp), from which fabric was made. Fiber female plants, cultivated for seeds, made marine rope, sailcloth, etc. this time is the emergence of trafficking in hemp. In Russia until the 30s of the XX century hemp was a homestead culture of small individual economy. Cultivated mainly local varieties-ridges. Since 1931 the country was launched systematic work on breeding and seed production of agricultural hemp seed. During the years of Soviet power, hemp was not only restored, but also widely advanced in new areas, including Siberia. In 1928, the area of sowing of hemp, Russia ranked first in the world - 966 thousand hectares. In the USSR the main hemp sowing regions were the Central black-earth region of the RSFSR, the forest-steppe and southern Ukraine, Byelorussia, the Volga region, Northern Caucasus and Western Siberia. Breeding dioeciously varieties were grown mainly. In 1965-1971 years crops of cannabis in the USSR did not exceed 300 thousand hectares Yields of fiber reached 11-12 t/ha...