In the Rivierenland region, an agreement has been reached for the cultivation of hemp fiber on 40 hectares of agricultural land. The collaboration between Collectief Rivierenland and Building Balance connects local arable farming directly with the construction sector for the production of biobased building materials.
The agreements were officially presented in early February 2026. The initiative is part of the "Biodiverse Akkermozaïek" (BAM) project. This project is exploring crops that are compatible with sustainable farming practices and contribute to local biodiversity. Fiber hemp was selected for this project because of its low environmental impact; the crop requires minimal pesticides and improves soil structure through its deep rooting.
Sales guarantee for the region
For the participating arable farmers, guaranteed sales are a crucial component of the agreement, which runs until 2029. The route to the processing industry is secured through the involvement of regional supply chain partners. The fibers are processed into insulation mats and lime hemp, materials for which there is growing demand in the regional construction sector for sustainability projects.
Integration into business operations
The choice of 40 hectares is a deliberate step to test the supply chain on a regional scale. Besides the direct yield of the fiber, the cultivation offers benefits for soil quality, which is beneficial for the rotation of other crops. Hemp also meets the stricter requirements for nitrogen use, as the need for fertilizer is limited compared to traditional crops.
Local processing
By keeping cultivation and processing within the region, transport movements are limited. This shortens the construction chain and reduces the ecological footprint of the materials. The impact on housing construction is tangible: the yield from one hectare of hemp fiber is expected to provide enough material to fully insulate two houses. Sowing will take place on the selected plots in the Rivierenland region in the coming months.
Source: Building Balance
Photo: Photo: NickyPe, Pixabay
