Revolutionizing the Potential of Hemp and Its Products in Changing the Global Economy

Tarun Belwal, M.Tech., Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology has over 10 years of experience in nutraceuticals, food science, bioprocessing, and phyto-pharmacology. After completing his Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology from Kumaun University, Uttarakhand, India, in collaboration with G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, India, he worked at the College of Biosystems Engineering and Food science, Zhejiang University, China and in the Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy. He has extensively worked on wild berries and fruits, medicinal plants, biodiversity conservation, sustainability, and food waste valorization. He was awarded the 'Governor's Award for Best Research' 2016 and 2017 by the Government of Uttarakhand, India for his research work. He has been served as Guest Editor in various leading journals, namely Food Chemistry, Food and Chemical toxicology, Phytomedicine, Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, Foods, Food & Function, and Frontiers in Nutrition. He has published over 100 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and edited 3 books. He is currently engaged in the development and promotion of safer and greener food bioprocess techniques, food waste utilization, circular economy, and food functionality. Naveen Chandra Belwal (retd. Senior Technical Officer) has a total of more than 35 years of research and technical experience in organic farming and hill agriculture research. He has started his career at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), India, and worked on the production of potato seeds and the development of cropping system. Later, he shifted to ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), where he has worked on the development of Maize hybrid and composite varieties. Also, he actively worked on the hill agriculture system, cropping system of Wheat, Paddy, Maize, Amaranthus, Soybean, Lentil, etc. He is also an expert on the management of fertilizer requirements, weed control, disease control, and pest and insect control management. He has extensively worked on the development of organic hill agriculture systems, seed production, and organic fertilizer production including bacteria-based fertilizer and its utilization for crop production. He has also published several monographs, bulletins, conducted workshops/trainings, and also delivered more than 70 radio talks on agriculture-based techniques. Based on his expertise and work, he has won several awards in the agriculture field, namely a few such as Prof. Boshi Sen Memorial award (ICAR, 2010) and Dr. Boshi Sen Meritorious Service Award (ICAR, 2017).

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)-Taxonomy, Distribution and Uses.- Hemp Varieties: Genetic and Chemical Diversity.- Legality of Worldwide Cannabis Use and Associated Economic Benefits.- Hemp Usage in Textile Industry.- Pharmaceutical Applications of Hemp Cannabis sativa.- Hemp Usage as Regular Food and in Nutraceutical Industry.- Hemp Usage in Cosmeceutical and Personal Care Industry.- Hemp Usage as a Green Building Material, Plastic, and Fuel.- Demand and Supply Gaps: Seeds and Raw Material.- Selective Breeding for Cannabis Variety.- Pre- and Post-harvest Processing and Quality Standardization.- Scientific Testing, Forensic Identification, Evidences, and Differences in Policy Frameworks of Hemp.