A developer planning to build in Viking’s east end industrial park envisions a world made better by the use of hemp in many areas of life. In fact, Rajan Ahluwalia, CEO of Ultimate Hemp World, calls the plant “nature’s gift to mankind.”
“Hemp is a plant that can give you food, shelter, clothing, and be non-polluting,” he said, speaking from his offices in the old Civic Building on Monday.
“The hemp plant is in tune with nature. We’ll make tissue paper, writing paper, paper cups. It’s all biodegradable without causing big stress on the earth.”
The survey of the land is completed, and Ahluwalia is in the process of applying for three permits from the Town of Viking to build and operate a hemp food factory, greenhouse, and paper mill.
He already has the building designs completed, so work can begin as soon as possible once the permits are issued. “Hopefully when everything comes in we will start construction.”
The hemp food factory will be housed in a 10,000 sq. ft. facility that will produce hemp hearts, flavoured hemp hearts, hemp butter and cream, hemp bread, and hemp oil.
The greenhouse will grow vegetables originally derived from Asian and African countries, which are very popular these days.
The paper mill will use hemp and wheat straw to make paper, coffee cups, and shopping bags.
“Bye bye to plastics,” he said. “Viking will be leading the world with this technology.”
To start with, however, he is selling hemp hearts to introduce them to the public. Hemp hearts are small, white, unshelled hemp seeds rich in protein, fibre and healthy fatty acids, including Omega 3s and Omega-6s. The food is an anti-oxidant and touted by its adherents to ease ailments and improve heart, skin, and joint health.
He plans to sell them below the cost they go for in the city.
The plan is also to produce hemp oil by pressing hemp seeds and selling that as well. He says hemp oil is very good for the skin, hair, and ailments such as arthritis. Eventually he wants the hemp hearts and oil sales to take place out of a larger building in the downtown.
But that is just a starting point, he said, sharing his vision for an environmentally friendly project that will also generate industry and growth locally.
“My goal is to work with all the local people, with everybody, and create a business hub which will protect this world,” he said.
He also wants to meet with any area farmers who may be thinking of diversifying their crop production and considering the possibility of growing hemp, as well as other cash crops.
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