CONCERNING THE EFFICIENCY OF PRODUCTION OF A NICHE CULTURE OF HEMP

The article highlights the current state of the world market of industrial hemp, presents forecasts for its development, it is stated that the last decade has been characterized by the active development of hemp production in many countries of the world. It is emphasized that this niche plant is called a culture of the 21st century due to a number of advantages that are inherent to it, and also that there are no generalized official statistics on the cultivation of industrial hemp in the world as of 2024. The geography of growing industrial hemp in the world is presented. It is noted that the cultivation of industrial hemp in Ukraine is subject to licensing, the level of the narcotic substance in the varieties that are allowed to grow is the lowest in the world, according to forecasts, the state can become one of the leaders in the production of industrial hemp in the world by 2050. It is highlighted that hemp raw materials are used in the most diverse branches of the economy, in the process of processing different parts of hemp, a wide range of products with high added value can be obtained. A number of other factors that testify to the economic attractiveness of hemp production are also presented, including: short growing season; the possibility of obtaining a significant harvest of biomass even on lands that are unsuitable for other crops; the possibility of cultivation without herbicides; low need for water use; expediency of introduction into crop rotation; the possibility of using all parts of the plant and others. Attention is focused on the multi-vector possibilities of hemp processing; the key factors that encourage the growth of the world market of hemp products are highlighted; the key segments of the global industrial hemp market are highlighted food and beverages, personal care products and paper. Examples of the main areas of hemp processing in Ukraine and the profitability of its cultivation in Ukraine in 2023-2024 are given. It was revealed that the opening of industrial parks, which are aimed exclusively at the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp, is a confirmation of the development of the hemp growing niche in Ukraine. It was concluded that the production of a niche culture of hemp and its processing is accompanied by a high level of economic efficiency