09/03/2024
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1144322_vw-working-on-synthetic-leather-made-from-h**p
Adegbenro Adebanjo
Attention Ondo State Government! This posting is not advocating recreational h**p use.
Volkswagen has just announced the introduction of h**p-based leather for their automobiles. On the other hand, NDLEA (Ondo Command), recently announced ( https://businessday.ng/news/article/ndlea-destroys-56-hectares-of-h**p-farmland-in-ondo/) the destruction 56 hectares of high quality h**p farmlands. What an egregious act of ignorance!
In addition to its use as eco-friendly synthetic leather upholstery, h**p wool is a terrific material for building insulation. (Ondo State boasts one of the worldโs premium quality!) A properly designed and well-constructed building, using h**p wool for insulation, will enjoy comfortable โnatural coolingโ without electricity-powered air conditioning.
Economic Opportunity: One hectare of farmland can produce 1,250 kilograms of h**p. At current market price of US$1,100 per kg, a hectare of h**p farmland will generate US$1,375,000. The 56 hectares of Ondo h**p farmland destroyed by the NDLEA can generate US$77Million. That is NGN122 Billion at the current USD:NGN exchange rate. That lost revenue is roughly one third of Ondo Stateโs 2024 appropriation bill of NGN384 Billion. What a lost opportunity!
My Advice:
1. Ondo State Agency for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services should contact Volkswagen immediately. Offer to supply the h**p required for their leather upholstery at 50% whatever VW is currently paying. Such a deal will be much better than the USD Zero amount currently earned from the destroyed farmlands.
2. Ondo State Government should embark on a comprehensive education and training of the h**p farmers. There are excellent avenues to sell their produce on the international market where earnings will dwarf revenues from hazardous recreational usage.
3. NDLEA should be instructed to direct their efforts at the dangers of harmful drug usage. The agency should work cooperatively with the State Government and farmers to redirect their produce to vibrant markets using h**p for insulation and synthetic leather upholstery.
Volkswagen's looking at new source materials for synthetic leather in the name of sustainability.
