Ecofibre Industries will establish and trial a relocatable milling system in Moree.

About 50 hectares will be planted by about four or five growers in the first two years of the trial.

Executive farming director Phil Warner said Moree had long-term agricultural opportunities and the infrastructure to support the concept.

About eight to 12 tonnes of dry stalk yield is produced per hectare and each tonne is worth about $245 per module delivered.

A module weighs about 10 tonnes.

If the trial is successful up to 10,000 hectares could be planted in the next five to seven years, Mr Warner said.

In this case a secondary process facility would be installed that would employ up to 15 to 20 people on a full-time basis.

Another benefit of hemp production is the allowance of carbon to be captured and permanently locked up.

“Eventually it will lead to agriculture meeting or exceeding carbon abatement targets.

“There is 1.7 to 1.9 units of carbon for every unit of hemp used in the construction industry,” Mr Warner said.

Hemp has many by-products like superior paper pulp, biodegradable plastics, automotive and aerospace components, animal bedding, absorbent materials, textiles, building products and insulation.

“The only negative for the region would be the distance to market.

“Freight will play a big role so the cost of transporting the product is a big concern.”