Varietal choice

The variety needs to be chosen according to the final use and the use is in turn dependant on the market and the potential buyer. This is especially important as there are only a few processors, i.e. buyers, who can purchase and further process hemp. 

The variety needs to be chosen from a list of seed varieties approved and tested at the EU level. Each Member State of the EU sets its own maximum THC content limit. However, to be eligible for CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) payments, a variety must have a THC content of no more than 0.3%. It is prohibited to collect seeds from a successful cultivation for a subsequent cultivation, as they might have a higher THC content than allowed. 

Concerning the sex of the variety, hemp exists in both dioecious and monoecious varieties. Monoecious plants bear both male and female flowers on the same plant, allowing for self-fertilisation. On the other hand, dioecious varieties have separate male and female plants. Typically, only the female plants of dioecious varieties survive the full growing season and contribute to fibre and seed yield. The male plants in dioecious species usually perish after flowering and can pose challenges during harvesting if they fall across the field. Additionally, dioecious males, carried by wind pollination, may inadvertently pollinate neighbouring crops of different varieties. For this reason, monoecious hemp varieties are often preferred.