Kurgan Scientist Develops New Hemp Cultivation Technology
Aleksey Plotnikov, head of the Department of Land Management, Crop Production, Agrochemistry, and Soil Science at the Kurgan State Agricultural Academy, has developed a new technology for cultivating industrial hemp in the forest-steppe region of Trans-Urals. He considers hemp the best crop for import substitution and believes it has a promising future. The first result of his work—cold-pressed hemp oil—is already available in major retail chains. Plotnikov has also developed a new product with added hemp, as he shared with URA.RU.
“Modern hemp varieties are almost completely free of the narcotic substance (cannabinoid). Only these certified varieties are allowed for cultivation. The advantages of hemp are significant—it can be used to produce more than 25,000 types of products for the food industry, animal husbandry (feed for animals, poultry, fish), cosmetics, textiles, and construction. The entire plant is used, and the products have valuable qualities. The simplest product, hemp oil, contains a set of three Omegas (polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3, 6, 9). It’s a substitute for imported fish oil supplements and an excellent option for import substitution,” says Aleksey Plotnikov.
The idea to develop a hemp cultivation technology in the Kurgan region came to Plotnikov about six years ago. He concluded that growing hemp in the region is possible under certain conditions. The developed technology increases crop productivity by 20-30% in specific soil and climate conditions. The project attracted the company “IPC Profservice LLC.” About a year ago, the first result of this collaboration—cold-pressed hemp oil—appeared on store shelves in the Kurgan region. “The product is of very high quality. The hemp was grown without chemical exposure or pesticides, making it an environmentally friendly product,” Plotnikov notes.
The cultivation process itself is eco-friendly and highly profitable: a 250 ml bottle of oil retails for about 600 rubles, and bulk sales reach up to 1,500 rubles per liter. According to Plotnikov, these figures are attractive for processors, but farmers are deterred by oversight from law enforcement agencies. “Farmers worry they might be suspected of growing illegal plants. However, if the seeds are certified, narcotics control officers visit the fields twice during the summer to collect plant samples for laboratory testing. If the content of narcotic substances does not exceed permissible levels, cultivation can continue. Ongoing cooperation with authorities is required. This is easier for large organizations than for individual farmers,” Plotnikov explains.
Plotnikov continues to work with hemp varieties, refining the technology. “My goal is to maximize yield per hectare in our climate. I want to provide clear recommendations: how much and when to sow, how much fertilizer to apply, and when to harvest. These technological steps require observation, fieldwork, and laboratory research. Ultimately, this will impact the economics and profitability. And hemp is a highly profitable crop,” he adds.
Innovative Hemp Bread and Future Prospects
Kristina Sazhina, a graduate student at the agronomy faculty, developed a recipe for bread with added hemp flour. She presented her project, “Development of a Method for Using Industrial Hemp in the Baking Industry,” at the “Umnik” competition and won a grant of 500,000 rubles. The scientific advisor for the project was Associate Professor Aleksey Plotnikov, PhD in Agricultural Sciences.
“Young people don’t associate bread with healthy eating. By adding hemp flour, you get a unique taste and health benefits: polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3, 6, 9, reduced calorie content, and lower gluten levels. While wheat bread has about 327 kcal, bread with hemp has around 300 kcal. Thanks to hemp flour, you feel full faster—you eat less bread and feel satisfied sooner,” Kristina Sazhina explains. She has applied for a patent, and after receiving it, may participate in the second stage of the competition, which could launch production of this healthy bread.
Aleksey Plotnikov supports his graduate student. “This product will be of interest to health-conscious people, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular diseases. It will definitely find its consumer,” he is confident.
Plotnikov recalls that until 1959, up to 1 million hectares of hemp were sown in the USSR. However, it was later banned due to its narcotic content. “This is a promising niche. We want hemp to be cultivated in the Kurgan region. We are an agricultural region, but many fields remain unused. There is still much interesting work ahead in studying hemp—we are just at the beginning,” he says.
Attracting researchers and developers to address the most important challenges for society and the country is one of the three key objectives of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by Vladimir Putin. Sustainable regional development amid growing import substitution needs is impossible without large-scale use of scientific and technological achievements and a focus on innovation.