Irrigation and Agricultural Opportunities: Evaluating Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Suitability and Productivity in Lebanon

Abstract

Within the prevalent challenges posed by climate change and decreasing resources, this research underscores the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices combined with efficient water resource management. Employing comprehensive climate and soil suitability analyses, this research analyzed the capacity of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) to adapt to Lebanon’s heterogeneous environmental landscapes across two distinct growing seasons (autumn and spring). Both climate and edaphic suitability mapping were conducted to study hemp’s suitability. AquaCrop v.7.1 was used to simulate seed yield, biomass production, irrigation needs and yield water productivity in the different agro-homogeneous zones of Lebanon for the two considered seasons. The findings revealed that approximately 30% and 19% of Lebanon’s land exhibit suitability for hemp cultivation during the spring and autumn seasons, respectively. According to AquaCrop model simulations, under the prevailing climatic conditions, the predicted seed yield will range from 3.7 to 5.6 t ha−1 under rainfed conditions and will reach 11.1 t ha−1 for irrigated cultivation. Moreover, employing efficient irrigation techniques during the spring season showed a significant improvement in both yield and biomass of hemp. The enhancement was evident, with notable increases of 112.22% in yield and 96.43% in biomass compared to rainfed conditions. This research highlights the importance of identifying suitable regions within Lebanon capable of supporting hemp cultivation in a sustainable manner. Such research not only promises economic development but also aligns with broader global sustainability objectives.