Nepal hemp fabrics are made from the finest organic fibers, which are grown in the Himalaya mountain regions. They are also known for their soft and durable properties.
Hemp has a number of unique properties, including:
- Hemp fiber is eight times stretcher and four times stronger than cotton fiber.
- Hemp clothing absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture and dries quickly.
- Hemp cultivation requires less water because it is drought resistant.
- Because it is resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew, it requires few or no insecticides and pesticides.
- In one acre of land, hemp can produce 250 percent or more fabric than cotton.
The high altitudes of the Darchula district have been regarded as the source of high-quality hemp cloth. This material is spun into ropes, knots, and finer yarns for making commercial market and traditional fabrics.
Hemp crops share fields with “grain” crops such as wheat, maize, tomatoes, mustard, potatoes, and tree fruits such as apples, pears, and plums, among others. Mature plants are harvested between October and early December. After the dew has evaporated, plants are harvested in the morning, beginning with the larger spontaneously growing plants. Plants for fiber are harvested by pulling them from the ground and slicing the roots off with a sickle. Bundles of 100-300 plants are returned to the house and placed in the sunlight to warm.
The use of hemp for textiles, on the other hand, is not new. Hemp has been cultivated for a longer period of time than any other textile fiber. Its use in textiles dates back to 8000 B.C., when it was first woven into fabric, and it eventually provided 80 percent of the world’s textiles. Although there are a plethora of hemp goods dealers and exporters in the Kathmandu Valley today, very few use locally grown and processed hemp for their natural fiber clothing.
The natural hemp fibers industry in Nepal is important not only for business, but also for rural and economic development. Hemp, as an eco-friendly, sustainable, and versatile fiber, is steadily providing jobs to Nepalese villagers.
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