Tried Hemp Yet? A Conversation With Team BOHECO

All of us know of cannabis or hemp and its use, but here we profile the founders of BOHECO, who are using hemp for something very different and unique.
Hemp – an eco friendly ‘super-plant’ often misconceived as being just an intoxicant, has been ignored all this while for its super qualities. A quick internet search would reveal its super properties and that it can be used to make almost everything and anything, including but not limited to fabric, paper, oil, fuel, rope, homes, personal care products, biodegradable plastics, and so on.

The first time you are introduced to BOHECO, or The Bombay Hemp Company, it’s hard to not smile to yourself and get excited by just the mention of the word hemp. It is interesting how a product as non-existent as hemp, something which has no brand whatsoever — besides being a source of recreation for youngsters — can be used as a fashion garment, protein supplement, or for home materials

In the summer of 2010, Jahan, the co-founder of BOHECO, was on a trip to Australia when he came across the wide hemp industry in a small town called Margaret River, where everything from shirts to surfboards were all made from hemp. That was his intervention with hemp, which he shared with the team upon his arrival back in Mumbai.

BOHECO’s aim with the plant was simple: the founders wanted to introduce a new tool for development, a tool with over 25,000 proven uses, a tool that grows in 90-100 days and grows up to 12-15 feet, and a tool that is farmer friendly and has the potential to generate an unmatched economic value. A carbon-negative raw material, hemp requires less water, land, pesticides and herbicides to grow and process than cotton does.

Hemp field in Côtes-d’Armor, Brittany, France

BOHECO wants to adopt a new model of agriculture inspired by the tech industry called ‘open source agriculture,’ where the company provides seeds to the farmers to grow, empowers them with key skills to convert it into an end product, and buys back all their produce to supply it to the ever-growing market. Hemp is a self-sustainable crop which reduces the dependency of local farmers when it comes to food, clothing and shelter.

The company’s range of products include hemp seeds, oil, protein supplements, clothing, and shelter – also known as ‘hempcrete’ and medicine. The products in the food and clothing categories are out in the market for sale, whereas the medicine & shelter products are under product development and will be available in the near future.

The team intends to bring natural fibres other than cotton, like jute, himalayan nettle, coir, pineapple, banana, and more into the market, and has teamed up with the National Institute of Design (NID) for research on other allied fibres. Looking at the overwhelming support from the government, researchers, scientists, farmers and customers, the team is positive about the rising demand for eco-friendly products in the country.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.