During the last few days, the Chacra Modelo of Fundación Gen in General Roca was the scene of a historic day for the Alto Valle of **Río Negro**: the **first agroindustrial processing of hemp cultivation** in **Patagonia** took place. The activity marked a milestone in advancing towards a more diversified, **[sustainable, and innovative](https://noticiasambientales.com/innovacion/plasticos-de-un-solo-uso-son-reemplazados-con-derivados-del-canamo/)** productive matrix in the region.
The event brought together representatives from provincial and municipal governments, scientific institutions, companies, and civil organizations. It was the culmination of a process that began with **experimental crops** carried out by Fundación Gen in Mari Menuco (Neuquén) and General Roca (Río Negro), in collaboration with public and private actors.
During the day, **the harvested plant material was processed using three types of machinery**. On one hand, the grain was separated to obtain seeds and produce oil. In turn, the stems were chipped to be used in the production of ecological construction boards. These tasks were carried out with the collaboration of the Municipality of General Roca, which provided a threshing machine and a classifier.
Among the attendees were Mayor María Emilia Soria, provincial officials from Neuquén and Río Negro, representatives from the **Regulatory Agency for the Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis Industry (ARICCAME)**, academic and scientific institutions such as INTA and the National University of Río Negro, and technicians responsible for the crops.
## The booming hemp agro-industrial industry
“We are taking a huge step,” celebrated Soria, who also valued the commitment to **hemp as a driving force for regional development** and highlighted the role of Fundación Gen in producing seeds adapted to the Patagonian climate and soil. Along the same lines, Armando Vidal, from the Neuquén Production Secretariat, emphasized that hemp “has enormous industrial, medicinal, and environmental potential” and stressed that this experimental crop is “a success story.”
From Fundación Gen, the organizers pointed out that sharing these concrete advances is key to **encouraging more producers to get involved in this emerging value chain**, which opens up new opportunities for the region.
## A crop with history and future
Hemp is **[one of the most versatile plants](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/utilizar-mas-canamo-para-usar-menos-petroleo-y-cuidar-al-planeta/)** known to humanity, with uses spanning over 25,000 products in sectors such as **food**, construction, **cosmetics**, **energy**, textiles, automotive, and **medicine**. Despite its millennia-long history – with records dating back to 2500 B.C. – in Argentina, its development was limited by political and cultural reasons.
Currently, hemp is resurging as a strategic opportunity to boost the regional economy, create jobs, diversify production, and **promote sustainable practices**. With low water consumption, soil recovery capacity, and multiple industrial applications, it emerges as a **key tool** for the agro-industrial development of Patagonia.
## What is cultivated hemp used for?
Cultivated hemp is used to manufacture **a wide variety of products**, including:
– **Textiles:** 100% hemp fabrics can be produced, but it is also mixed with other fibers for clothing and furniture.
– **Food Products:** Hemp seeds are used in animal feed and human nutrition. Hemp oil is used for cooking, in creams, and paint manufacturing.
– **Industrial:** Hemp is used to make ropes, paper, bioplastics, insulation, biofuels, plastics, felts, paints, and varnishes.
– **Construction:** Hemp is used to make furniture, mats, sacks, insulation, erosion control geotextiles.
– **Hygiene:** Hemp is used to make soap and shampoo.
– **Natural Medicine:** Hemp is used in natural medicine.
– **Animal Care:** Hemp is used to make animal feed, animal bedding, and cat litter.
In some countries like France, Canada, and Sweden, there are industries dedicated to producing quality hemp derivatives.
Source: LM Neuquén.
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